UCLA 2026 Recruiting Portal Breakdown: Best Additions, Biggest Misses

However, it could have been even better, as the Bruins missed out on a couple of great names that could have bolstered the team; regardless, coach Cori Close can rest satisfied with this year's transfers.

The Best Additions From This Year's Class: Bonnie Deas, Elina Aarnisalo, and Donovyn Hunter

Bonnie Deas

• Coming from the Arkansas Razorbacks, who had one of the more lackadaisical seasons in college basketball with a losing record and a rough conference tournament, it would have been easy to write off Bonnie Deas.

• After all, she was just a true freshman guard on a team that didn't play well; however, she was actually one of the bright spots, if not the brightest, on her team.

• She averaged 10.2 points per game, 9 rebounds, and more, and will bring yet another strong, youthful piece to UCLA's core, ready to dominate.

Elina Aarnisalo

• With a younger, talented player under their belt, UCLA needed to find somebody who could help lead the team in the locker room as well as on the court, and that was where Elina Aarnisalo came in.

• She played for UCLA her freshman year, left for UNC her sophomore year, and is now returning as one of the few experienced faces on the team who could keep the Bruins on track when things get rough.

Donovyn Hunter

• The final transfer of this offseason so far was Donovyn Hunter, a guard from TCU who has been steadily growing in her abilities ever since her freshman year.

• She will not only be great on the court with her 10 points per game from last year, but will also be UCLA's readily available leader beside Aarnisalo, as she will be a senior next season, one who can mentor the younger players well.

The Biggest Miss From This Year's Class: Jordan Lee

• The team that had UCLA's number in their only loss of the season was Texas, and Jordan Lee was part of that squad, one that had a major impact with her 13+ points per game and multiple steals.

• Coming from one of the best teams in the nation, Lee only had her eyes on the top dogs, and she ended up going for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

• However, if UCLA had convinced her, Lee would have been the best possible compliment to Aarnisalo and would have extended the Bruins' bench depth to highly elite levels.