UCLA Professional Athletes

The NBA's opening week gave UCLA alumni plenty to celebrate — and a few storylines worth tracking deep into the season.

Jaquez Is Making Noise in Milwaukee

Jaime Jaquez Jr. is doing everything right at the worst possible time — which is to say, he's playing his best ball while his Bucks are stumbling. The former Bruin posted three consecutive strong performances to open the week: 22 points and 7 rebounds against Washington on Wednesday, then a gritty 19-point, 11-rebound effort in a Friday loss to Chicago, and followed that with 21 points and 8 boards in a 116-127 defeat to Philadelphia on Saturday.

The efficiency and consistency are real. Jaquez is attacking, rebounding, and contributing in ways that go beyond the box score — but Milwaukee's early-season record means those performances are going largely unnoticed at the national level. That probably won't last long. With back-to-back games of 19+ points and 7+ rebounds in Weeks 1 and 2, Jaquez looks like a player who has taken a meaningful step forward.

Powell Leads Chicago's Comeback Win

While Jaquez was logging a 35-minute, near-double-double in defeat on Friday, Norman Powell was doing the exact opposite from the other sideline. The UCLA guard poured in a team-high 25 points as the Bulls erased a 15-point deficit to beat Milwaukee 132-125 — a sharp bounce-back from a 43-point shellacking at the hands of Toronto just days earlier.

Powell's performance anchored a Chicago night that also featured 21 points from rookie Caleb Wilson. Coach Tiago Splitter's lineup flexibility has given Powell a clear role, and he's rewarding it early. It was the kind of quiet-efficient, high-impact game Powell has always been capable of delivering when his team needs it most.

Around the League

Zach LaVine had a tale of two nights in Sacramento. He erupted for 28 points against the Clippers on Thursday — only to watch the Kings lose by 25. Saturday offered more of the same chaos: 22 points, but a loss to Portland. LaVine's scoring touch isn't in question; the Kings' roster cohesion remains the bigger puzzle.

Jrue Holiday, now with Portland, was a non-factor offensively (8 points, 1 assist) in Thursday's blowout win over Phoenix — but his team won by 41, so context is everything. He was more engaged Saturday against Sacramento, adding 12 points and 8 assists in the Trail Blazers' 128-120 win over the Kings.

Peyton Watson is drawing attention in Cleveland, where a Sports Illustrated feature flagged him as the Cavalier to watch heading into a matchup with Philly. He didn't disappoint completely — 11 points and a steal in Saturday's narrow win over Brooklyn — though his minus-19 in Thursday's loss to the 76ers was a rough night to build on.

Kevon Looney, reunited with the Lakers after a "weird" season in New Orleans, is easing back into a familiar environment. His role has been limited (4 minutes Saturday, 14 on Thursday), but his veteran presence is the real value-add for a franchise that knows him well.

UCLA's NBA footprint is wide. This week, Jaquez and Powell were the ones carrying the banner.

Three UCLA alumni are generating buzz across the NBA as the 2026-27 season takes shape — Kyle Anderson cementing his value in Toronto, Peyton Watson settling into Cleveland, and Norman Powell navigating early growing pains in Chicago.

Kyle Anderson, the Glue Guy Raptors Needed

Don't let the journeyman label fool you. Kyle Anderson has bounced around the league, yes — but in Toronto, he's found a role that suits him and a coaching staff that appreciates exactly what he brings. According to Sports Illustrated, Anderson offers more than just veteran leadership as a rotational piece for the Raptors; his feel for the game and positional versatility give Toronto a steadying presence in their second unit.

Anderson himself has been candid about his place on the roster. In a wide-ranging conversation covered by Yahoo Sports, he spoke about team chemistry, his relationship with young guard Jamal Shead, and his perspective on embracing a leadership identity later in his career. For a Raptors team in transition, a vet who knows his role and owns it is worth more than his box score suggests.

Peyton Watson Settles Into Cleveland

When the Cavaliers acquired Peyton Watson, they were betting on upside — an athletically gifted wing with tools that hadn't yet been fully tapped. Early preseason returns suggest Cleveland's front office may have made a smart play. Sports Illustrated's evaluation of Watson's 2026 preseason performance paints a picture of a player growing into his opportunity, even as the expectations around him continue to rise.

Watson has also emerged as a voice on a roster full of talent. He made headlines for his pointed praise of Cavaliers rookie Tyrese Proctor, offering a candid endorsement of the second-year guard's potential. It's a small moment, but telling — Watson isn't just finding his footing on the court, he's building credibility in the locker room.

Norman Powell and the Bulls' Preseason Wrinkles

In Chicago, Norman Powell is one of the names the Bulls are building around — but the preseason has been a reminder that even promising rosters need reps. During a 125-104 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, head coach Tiago Splitter publicly took blame for a lineup miscalculation involving Powell and rookie Dailyn Swain. The mix-up occurred in the third quarter and drew enough attention that Splitter addressed it directly after the game, per ClutchPoints.

It's a minor episode, but it underscores the real work of preseason: figuring out how pieces fit. Powell's profile still draws attention in Chicago — ClutchPoints noted he was among the players under the spotlight during the Bulls' preseason run, even as Leonard Miller stole some headlines with an 18-point, 7-rebound performance in the same game.

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Three UCLA alumni, three different chapters. Anderson is writing the final productive years of a veteran career on his own terms. Watson is trying to turn potential into production in a win-now market. Powell is establishing himself as a cornerstone piece on a Bulls squad still sorting out its identity. The Bruins are well-represented — and the regular season hasn't even started yet.

Peyton Watson Is Cleveland's Most Exciting New Piece

Forget the incremental offseason additions — the Cleveland Cavaliers' biggest move this summer was landing Peyton Watson, and the former UCLA wing is already generating serious buzz before the 2026-27 season tips off. Watson has drawn effusive praise from within the organization, earning a coveted team title ahead of opening night, and at least one analyst is already making the case he's the frontrunner for Most Improved Player this season. It's a bold claim, but Watson entering his first year with a contending Cavaliers squad — one that also counts fellow Bruin Lonzo Ball on the roster — has all the ingredients for a breakout. Watson himself has been vocal about how much he wants to be there, saying he has nothing but praise for Cleveland's setup. The expectations are real, and so is the opportunity.

Norman Powell Anchors a Bulls Roster Built to Surprise

In Chicago, Norman Powell is doing what veteran scorers do best: making a young roster better just by being in the building. The Bulls enter 2026-27 with an intriguing core — Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, Nic Claxton, and Caleb Wilson turning heads in camp — and Powell brings the kind of proven offensive polish that glues a retooled group together. He turned heads in the preseason despite a team loss, with his stock rising even as Chicago works out the kinks. Buzelis, for his part, has been candid about last season's turbulence, suggesting the entire team is approaching this year with a chip on its shoulder. Powell's presence at the top of that rotation gives the Bulls a credible scoring threat every night.

Westbrook Eyes Legacy Beyond the Court

Russell Westbrook has never been content to exist quietly, and retirement — or something close to it — isn't changing that. The Compton-raised, UCLA-bred guard who spent 18 seasons in the NBA is now setting his sights on a role as a torchbearer for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, leaning into his identity as a homegrown city figure and expanding his charitable footprint across LA. It's a natural evolution for Westbrook, whose connection to the city runs through every chapter of his life — from Inglewood to Westwood to Staples Center. If the 2028 Games are meant to celebrate Los Angeles, few figures carry that story more authentically.

Kevon Looney's Fit in LA Under Scrutiny

Not every Bruin is entering the season with the wind at his back. Kevon Looney, now suiting up for the Lakers alongside Luka Doncic, has drawn some pointed skepticism in the preseason — including a blunt assessment from Lakers legend Robert Horry, who questioned whether Looney can hold up over a full season. Looney hasn't hidden his enthusiasm for what Doncic brings to the table, saying the new Laker makes him feel like the team can beat anyone. But enthusiasm only goes so far, and the Lakers' frontcourt depth questions haven't gone away. Looney's role as a veteran backup will be tested early.