University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA Represented by 17 Players on NBA Rosters
October 16, 2018 | Men's Basketball
The UCLA men's basketball program has 17 former players who are expected to open the NBA season on "Opening Night" rosters this week.
The NBA's 2018-19 season gets underway with a pair of games on Tuesday, Oct. 16. That night, the Philadelphia 76ers will play against the Boston Celtics, while the Oklahoma City Thunder will be in action at the two-time defending champs, the Golden State Warriors.
Trevor Ariza, who played as a freshman at UCLA in 2003-04, will enter the 2018-19 season as UCLA's most veteran NBA player. Ariza was a second-round NBA Draft pick in 2004 and is preparing to begin his 15th year in the league (his first with the Phoenix Suns).
Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers), Luc Mbah a Moute (Los Angeles Clippers) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) are all set to begin their 11th NBA seasons. Those three players teamed together at UCLA in 2007-08, helping guide the Bruins to their third Final Four in as many seasons. Mbah a Moute was a part of three NCAA Final Four teams at UCLA (2006-08), helping UCLA capture three consecutive Pac-10 regular-season titles.
Westbrook has earned seven NBA All-Star Game appearances, while Love has been a five-time NBA All-Star selection.
Darren Collison is the most veteran of four UCLA products currently on the Indiana Pacers. Collison will begin his 10th season in the NBA, his fourth year with the Pacers. Joining Collision on the Pacers' roster this season will be TJ Leaf, Ike Anigbogu and rookie Aaron Holiday.
Jrue Holiday, a freshman at UCLA in 2008-09, will start his 10th year in the NBA, his sixth season with the New Orleans Pelicans. Holiday rounds out a group of six former UCLA standouts who have played at least nine seasons in the NBA.
Kyle Anderson signed with the Memphis Grizzlies in the offseason after having spent his four years with the San Antonio Spurs. Anderson has several former UCLA teammates around the league this season – Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls), Travis Wear (Los Angeles Lakers) and Norman Powell (Toronto Raptors).
Kevon Looney prepares to begin his fourth year with the Golden State Warriors, having been a part of Golden State's championship teams in 2017 and 2018. Lonzo Ball will begin his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
UCLA has three former players who could make their NBA debuts this fall – Jonah Bolden (Philadelphia 76ers), Aaron Holiday (Indiana Pacers) and Thomas Welsh (Denver Nuggets).
| Player | Years at UCLA | NBA Team | Years in NBA | NBA Debut |
| Kyle Anderson | 2013 - 2014 | Memphis Grizzlies | 2014 - 2018 | 11/06/2014 |
| Ike Anigbogu | 2017 | Indiana Pacers | 2017 - 2018 | 10/20/2017 |
| Trevor Ariza | 2004 | Phoenix Suns | 2004 - 2018 | 11/03/2004 |
| Lonzo Ball | 2017 | Los Angeles Lakers | 2017 - 2018 | 10/19/2017 |
| Jonah Bolden | 2016 | Philadelphia 76ers | Rookie | Rookie |
| Darren Collison | 2006 - 2009 | Indiana Pacers | 2009 - 2017 | 10/28/2009 |
| Aaron Holiday | 2016 - 2018 | Indiana Pacers | Rookie | Rookie |
| Jrue Holiday | 2009 | New Orleans Pelicans | 2009 - 2018 | 10/30/2009 |
| Zach LaVine | 2014 | Chicago Bulls | 2014 - 2018 | 10/30/2014 |
| TJ Leaf | 2017 | Indiana Pacers | 2017 - 2018 | 10/18/2017 |
| Kevon Looney | 2015 | Golden State Warriors | 2015 - 2018 | 01/27/2016 |
| Kevin Love | 2008 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 2008 - 2018 | 10/29/2008 |
| Luc Richard Mbah a Moute | 2006 - 2008 | Los Angeles Clippers | 2008 - 2018 | 10/28/2008 |
| Norman Powell | 2012 - 2015 | Toronto Raptors | 2015 - 2018 | 11/01/2015 |
| Travis Wear | 2012 - 2014 | Los Angeles Lakers | 2014 - 2018 | 10/29/2014 |
| Thomas Welsh | 2015 - 2018 | Denver Nuggets | Rookie | Rookie |
| Russell Westbrook | 2007 - 2008 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 2008 - 2018 | 10/29/2008 |
