The UCLA Bruins men’s basketball team landing Kobe Johnson in the portal was a massive addition to Mick Cronin’s team.
Early on in the offseason, UCLA has struck gold by landing Johnson and Louisville transfer Skyy Clark.
The big question about Johnson is where he fits in the roster and whether or not he will be a starter next year. We asked Trojans Wire site editor Matt Zemek that question, and here’s his answer:
Kobe Johnson did not have a strong 2024 season at USC, but yes, he will be a starter. Seniors who come back for one more season instead of going pro are expecting to be starters. This is true in football, and it is also true in basketball. Would Kobe have transferred to UCLA if he knew that Mick Cronin would relegate him to a backup/role player spot on the roster? Highly doubtful.
As Zemek mentions, it is doubtful that Johnson would’ve come to Westwood knowing he was going to be a role player. But, the Bruins have expressed a ton of interest in other players in the portal, and we won’t know the official answer to this question for a while.
But, Kobe Johnson as a starter wouldn’t be surprising.