Why Missing on Tounde Yessoufou Not Option for UCLA
The Bruins have put together a fairly solid transfer class, but there is still room for improvement.
When you look at UCLA's roster, it is clear the team is still one player away from making real noise. The center position remains a question, but the more pressing issue is scoring. UCLA has not yet replaced the production lost from Tyler Bilodeau and Donovan Dent. Enter Tounde Yessoufou.
Why Yessoufou Is Elite
Yessoufou's freshman season at Baylor was nothing short of elite. He averaged 17.8 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 46.5% from the field. He also averaged 2.0 steals per game, demonstrating his impact on defense. Those numbers would have led UCLA in multiple categories last season.
For a freshman to produce at that level speaks to his upside. If he were to join UCLA for the 2026–27 season, he would immediately become one of the most impactful players on the roster. His ability to score at a high level while contributing defensively makes him an ideal fit for what UCLA currently lacks - a true go-to wing.
If he were to join UCLA, there is little doubt that he would be the No. 1 option from day one. There are not many players currently in the portal who hold that much power over a team, which is why Yessoufou is nothing short of elite.
Why Yessoufou Fits Perfectly
Right now, UCLA has the framework of a good team, but it is still missing that "It" factor. Yessoufou could be that player. With Bilodeau and Dent gone, the Bruins are lacking the star power that helped carry them into the tournament last season.
Those two accounted for over 30 points per game. Adding Yessoufou, combined with expected development from players like Trent Perry and Eric Dailey Jr., would go a long way toward replacing - and potentially exceeding - that production.
UCLA has already focused heavily on rebounding and physicality this offseason. Additions like Sergej Macura and Filip Jovic help address those issues. Bringing in Yessoufou would balance things out by giving the team a high-level scoring threat to pair with that improved foundation.
The bottom line is that UCLA has built a solid base, but it is still missing star power. Landing Yessoufou would complete the roster and significantly raise the team's ceiling. If the Bruins miss out, the concerns about their offensive production will only grow heading into next season.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/ucla as Why Missing on Tounde Yessoufou Not Option for UCLA.
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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 9:30 AM.