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3 reasons why UCLA just spent $12 million on a 17-year-old European NBA Draft prospect originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The UCLA Bruins basketball team just made an insane NIL offer to a budding international star.
According to multiple reports, Serbian and EuroLeague player Nikola Kusturica will be headed to the states with a 2-year, $12 million deal. The 6-foot-8 wing has already turned heads at the age of 17. He's currently averaging 22 points per game at the FIBA U17 World Cup.
Kusturica will leave FC Barcelona for UCLA, which by comparison would put him in the Top 10 among EuroLeague players. Keep in mind, no team in the overseas league would offer a teenager such a lucrative offer. Here are three reasons why Mick Cronin and the Bruins weren't afraid to pull the trigger.
Why UCLA just broke the bank ($12M/2-yrs) for 17-year-old Nikola Kusturica:
6'8" versatile wing with elite scoring traits
— Frederick Okocha (@F_rederic_k) July 4, 2026
UCLA understand getting in early with top players
Kusturica could've stayed another season in the EuroLeague to develop further, but has reached his ceiling. Heading to UCLA puts him on an expedited path to the NBA with two years in college. Being able to get him early keeps him with the program for two years at a higher NIL offer than most his age are demanding. This seems crazy, but it's a big risk for a big reward trade off.
Kusturica isn't taking this step alone
Serbian coach Nemanja Jovanovic works at UCLA, and he's also part of the Serbian national team coaching staff. This is a win for the Bruins, who have one of Kusturica's mentors on campus. Another advantage over other programs who might try to poach him with a last-minute offer.
UCLA sees Kusturica as a priority
Kusturica has been one of Serbia’s standout performers on the international stage. He'll continue to have the same type of production at the college level. Being able to give a big offer up front shows the type of commitment Cronin and his staff are willing to make. Winning recruiting battles in the current era sometimes takes the biggest checkbook. UCLA is flexing that with the move for Kusturica.
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