Saoirse Downs
The UCLA Bruins basketball team has had a challenging season, with several players dealing with injuries. Mac Etienne and Will McClendon suffered season-ending injuries, and Cody Riley, Johnny Juzang, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jaylen Clark, Peyton Watson, and Tyger Campbell have all missed games. However, as they entered the NCAA Tournament, the team was in better health, with only Adem Bona's left-shoulder soreness causing uncertainty about his participation in the tournament opener. Coach Mick Cronin has emphasized the importance of health over seeding, and the Bruins have been performing well, advancing to the Pac-12 Tournament's championship game and returning to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in 11 seasons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| UCLA Bruins' health status before the NCAA Tournament in 2022 | Injured players: Mac Etienne, Will McClendon, Cody Riley, Johnny Juzang, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jaylen Clark, Peyton Watson, Tyger Campbell |
| Healthy players: Jules Bernard, Myles Johnson | |
| UCLA Bruins' health status before the NCAA Tournament in 2023 | Injured player: Adem Bona |
| UCLA Health Training Center design features | Natural light, outside air, healthy materials, active design features, planted courtyard space |
| UCLA Bruins' performance in the 2023 NCAA Tournament | 29-5 overall record, advanced to the Pac-12 Tournament's championship game |
| UCLA Bruins' performance in the 2022 NCAA Tournament | Reached the Sweet 16 |
| UCLA Bruins' performance in the 2021 NCAA Tournament | Advanced from the First Four to the Final Four |
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What You'll Learn
UCLA Bruins' player injuries
The UCLA Bruins men's basketball team has had a long list of injuries to contend with during the season. Mac Etienne and Will McClendon suffered season-ending injuries before the season even started. Cody Riley, Johnny Juzang, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jaylen Clark, Peyton Watson, and Tyger Campbell have also all missed games due to injuries. Only Jules Bernard and Myles Johnson have played all 32 games, with Jaquez playing 31.
Despite this, the Bruins were in good health going into the 2022 NCAA Tournament, with no recent additions to the injury list. Coach Mick Cronin stated that he would prioritise health over seeding, saying:
> "If you were to say to me, 'You can be a No. 1 seed with injuries going into the tournament or be a No. 4 seed healthy, I would [choose] healthy... We're as healthy as we've been [all year]."
In 2023, UCLA was unsure whether to play injured freshman center Adem Bona in the NCAA tournament opener against North Carolina Asheville. Bona was experiencing left shoulder soreness after an injury against Oregon in the Pac-12 tournament. Coach Cronin said that Bona's level of soreness and ability to contribute would determine whether he played against the Bulldogs, adding that Bona would "have to play through some soreness at some point" if the team progressed.
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Impact on player development
UCLA's basketball team has had a challenging season, with numerous players dealing with injuries. Mac Etienne and Will McClendon suffered season-ending injuries, while Cody Riley, Johnny Juzang, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jaylen Clark, Peyton Watson, and Tyger Campbell have all missed games. These injuries have not only impacted the team's performance but also hindered player development.
For instance, Jaylen Clark's concussions have likely affected his progress, as he was praised by Coach Cronin as the most improved player on the team. Similarly, Jaime Jaquez Jr., who was initially playing at an All-American level, saw his performance decline due to an ankle injury. Sitting out injured players like Jaquez could allow for the development of other players, such as Peyton Watson, who could benefit from additional playing time and gain comfort in a big-game environment.
The UCLA Bruins' ability to shoot threes has been a concern, and their 12-game winning streak was recently snapped by Arizona. Despite these challenges, the team has shown glimpses of their potential when healthy. Coach Mick Cronin emphasized the importance of health over seeding, stating he would choose to be a healthy fourth seed over a number one seed with injuries.
The UCLA women's basketball team has also faced challenges. In 2012, issues with coaching and favoritism were noted as areas impacting the team's performance. Additionally, some players, like Travis, were forced to play out of position, affecting their effectiveness and development.
Overall, the impact of injuries on the UCLA basketball team has been significant, hindering individual player development and the team's overall performance and potential.
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UCLA Health Training Center
The UCLA Health Training Center is a training facility that focuses on enhanced training, strength conditioning, nutrition, and injury prevention and treatment. The facility is home to the Los Angeles Lakers and is designed to reflect game-day conditions at the Lakers' home venue, the Staples Center. The building has two full-sized basketball courts at its heart, surrounded by player-related spaces, including dedicated training and treatment suites, player amenity areas, a commercial kitchen, a full-service weight training facility, and press/media facilities.
The UCLA Health Training Center prioritises health and wellness in its design, with an emphasis on natural light, outside air, healthy materials, and active design features. The building has two main levels, with the first being dark and intimate, and the second being light and open, providing visual connections to the community and daylight. The outdoor planted courtyard increases daylight and green space while also decreasing reliance on artificial lighting.
The UCLA Health Sports Performance program, powered by EXOS, is a collaboration between top medical and sports performance organisations. It offers high-quality training, nutrition, and wellness support to athletes of all ages and abilities, including basketball players. The sports performance training center in El Segundo is equipped with a state-of-the-art performance training center, classroom setup, on-site dietitian nutrition specialist, outdoor turf, and sports science areas.
The UCLA basketball team has had its fair share of injuries throughout the season, but as they headed into the NCAA Tournament in 2022, they were reported to be the healthiest they had been all season. Coach Mick Cronin emphasised the importance of health over seeding, stating he would choose to be a healthy fourth seed over a injured first seed.
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Player health vs seeding
Player health is a critical aspect of any sports team, and it can significantly impact a team's performance and success. The UCLA Bruins basketball team has had its fair share of injuries and health concerns throughout the season, which has affected their performance and seeding.
In the 2021-2022 season, the UCLA men's basketball team dealt with numerous injuries, with only two players, Jules Bernard and Myles Johnson, appearing in all 32 games. Several players, including Cody Riley, Johnny Juzang, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jaylen Clark, Peyton Watson, and Tyger Campbell, missed games due to injuries. These injuries not only impacted the team's win-loss record but also hindered the development of individual players and the team as a whole.
Despite the challenges, the Bruins entered the NCAA Tournament as the fourth seed in the East Region, and their health improved significantly at a crucial time. Coach Mick Cronin emphasized the importance of health over seeding, stating that he would choose a lower seed with a healthy team over a higher seed with injuries. This mindset reflects a strategic approach to sports management, prioritizing the long-term development and well-being of the athletes.
In the 2022-2023 season, UCLA once again faced a similar dilemma with player health. Ahead of the NCAA Tournament, there were concerns about whether to play injured freshman center Adem Bona, who was dealing with left shoulder soreness. Coach Cronin had to weigh the benefits of resting Bona for a tougher matchup or playing him through the soreness in the tournament opener. This decision highlights the complex nature of player health management and the impact it can have on seeding and tournament strategy.
The UCLA Bruins' journey showcases the delicate balance between player health and seeding in competitive sports. While a higher seed may offer advantages in terms of matchups and bracket positioning, a healthy roster can be a more decisive factor in the team's overall performance and tournament success. Ultimately, the ideal scenario is to have a healthy roster with a favourable seed, but when faced with challenges, prioritizing player health can set the foundation for a stronger and more resilient team.
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UCLA women's basketball
UCLA's women's basketball team has had its fair share of injuries, but the players and coaches have demonstrated a strong commitment to health and improvement. In 2024, guard Charlisse Leger-Walker suffered a torn ACL, and forward Amanda Muse also faced injuries that kept her out for the remainder of the season. Despite these setbacks, the team has shown resilience and a focus on health. Leger-Walker took a medical redshirt year to give herself more time to recover, and she will return for the 2025-26 season.
The team has seen success in recent years, reaching the Final Four in 2025 and concluding their regular season on March 1, 2025, with a game against the University of Southern California (USC). They advanced to the postseason, participating in the 2025 Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament.
UCLA's women's basketball team has faced challenges with injuries, but they have also demonstrated a strong culture of health and improvement. Coach Close's emphasis on player development and strategic adjustments has helped the team adapt to their status as a top-ranked program. The team's success and resilience showcase their commitment to health and performance, positioning them well for future competitions.
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Frequently asked questions
UCLA basketball has had its fair share of injuries, but the team was in good health going into the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
The UCLA men's basketball team has faced a long list of injuries, including season-ending injuries to Mac Etienne and Will McClendon. Other players who have missed time due to injuries include Cody Riley, Johnny Juzang, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jaylen Clark, Peyton Watson, and Tyger Campbell.
In the past, UCLA has opted to rest injured players to ensure they return to full strength. For example, in 2023, UCLA faced a decision regarding whether to play injured freshman center Adem Bona in the NCAA tournament opener or rest him for a tougher matchup.
UCLA basketball has access to the UCLA Health Training Center, which is designed to enhance training, strength conditioning, nutrition, and injury prevention and treatment. The facility includes full-sized basketball courts, training and treatment suites, player amenity areas, a commercial kitchen for healthy meal prep, a weight training facility, and more.
