USA TODAY Sports

We are still some time away from watching the new-look UCLA men's basketball team officially kick off their season and it is tough to pinpoint exactly which players we are most excited to see take the floor. Adem Bona will be ready to get started again after having his freshman year end early with injury, Aday Mara is ready to showcase his own unique talents to the world and Sebastian Mack has a nonstop motor that fans are going to love.

But UCLA's basketball community is very lucky because there are a number of former Bruins stars that have forged out some great careers in the NBA and will continue shining this coming season. These names include Jrue Holiday, Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook just to name a few. You also have Amari Bailey, Jaime Jaquez and Tyger Campbell starting their professional careers.

However, I think everybody is going to be very intrigued to see how Russell Westbrook fares in his first full season with the Los Angeles Clippers. His fit and contract with the city-rival Lakers clearly did not work out but he shined in 21 regular season games with the Clippers last year (15p, 7a, 5r) and in five playoff games (23 p, 7a, 7r).

Westbrook recently made way back to UCLA this offseason to participate in the Rico Hines pickup games and he was looking very dominant.

The former MVP was scoring at all three levels and despite him starting to enter the latter stages of his career, he still showcases the same athleticism at times that has made him one of the game's most exciting players.

Scrimmages and real NBA games are very different but it's great to see Brodie back at his former school and doing what he does best!

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Yankees' Juan Soto reacts to Hal Steinbrenner contract talk
Scottie Scheffler arrested, will still make PGA Championship tee time
Timberwolves chew up Nuggets to force Game 7
Rangers secure spot in conference finals after stunning third-period comeback over Hurricanes
Xander Schauffele makes history in first round of PGA Championship
Yankees' Hal Steinbrenner shares massive Juan Soto contract update
Steelers' Cameron Heyward addresses contract holdout
Knicks star ruled out for potential closeout game
Dodgers starter undergoes season-ending UCL surgery
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney gives smug response about not using transfer portal
Caitlin Clark's debut was most-watched WNBA game in more than 20 years
Watch: Chris Kreider's natural third-period hat trick shatters Hurricanes' comeback hopes
Veteran NFL safety will either play for this team or retire in 2024
Former Red Wings head coach linked to open NHL job
How Patriots' Drake Maye has already impressed Jacoby Brissett
LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry among Forbes' highest-paid athletes for 2024
Steve Cohen addresses if Mets could again be trade-deadline sellers
Tiger Woods ruins strong first round with sloppy finish at PGA Championship
NFL responds to speculation about Chiefs schedule and Taylor Swift
Despite hopes for change, NASCAR championship weekend will return to Phoenix in 2025