UCLA men’s basketball has added transfer Jon Octeus, a 6-foot-4 guard from Colorado State, as first reported by Scout.com’s Evan Daniels.
A senior transfer, Octeus will be eligible to compete immediately after completing his undergraduate degree this summer.
His addition is much needed for a Bruin backcourt lacking in depth. Before Octeus’ commitment, UCLA had planned to rely on just three backcourt players next season: senior Norman Powell and sophomores Bryce Alford and Issac Hamilton.
In almost 34 minutes per game as a starter for the Rams, Octeus averaged 13.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game during the 2013-2014 season. He shot 40.6 percent from the field and 35.5 percent from 3-point territory.
With Octeus’ addition, the Bruins appear to have recovered well from the early departures of former guards Zach LaVine and Jordan Adams and guard/forward Kyle Anderson to the NBA as well as the graduation of forwards Travis Wear and David Wear.
UCLA has also brought on a star-studded recruiting class with freshman frontcourt players Kevon Looney (No. 12 by ESPN), Thomas Welsh (No. 36), Jonah Bolden (No. 69) and Gyorgy Goloman.
In total, seven of UCLA’s ten early projected rotation players next season are either new to the program or saw little playing time last season. Hamilton was ineligible to compete last year, and sophomore guard/forward Noah Allen played sparingly.
Compiled by Chris Kalra, Bruins Sports senior staff.