Mick Cronin credits UCLA players for impressive leadership
Now in his fourth season with UCLA, head coach Mick Cronin has already found a lot of success, going to a Final Four and a Sweet Sixteen. This season, however, might be the most promising of all, as the Bruins started the year 16-2 and 7-0 in the PAC-12.
One of the biggest reasons for that is, as Cronin explained, the impressive leadership that UCLA has on its team.
“We have great–our veterans are great guys, the freshmen that are playing [have] great attitudes,” Mick Cronin said.
“You know, but people follow the leadership of the team, and when Jaime [Jaquez] and Tyger [Campbell] and Dave [Singleton], Jaylen Clark, they’re such winners it sends a message to your younger guys.”
UCLA beat Colorado on Saturday, despite trailing at halftime. That ability to rally is largely due to the team’s leadership and Mick Cronin knows it’s a huge help to him.
“Like, when you’re a coach, you know when you have that. It makes your life easier. You know when you have it and you know when you don’t. Then you got a guy like Adem [Bona] and he starts for us and all he cares about is winning. It’s unbelievable. He’s one of the best attitudes of any kid I’ve ever coached.”
UCLA players praised the team’s managers
Following the win over Colorado, Adem Bona, Jaylen Clark, and Jaime Jaquez met with the media. There, the three players praised the team’s managers when Bona explained a group hug, saying that they’re just as much of the team as anyone else.
“Top from bottom, we hang out with our managers, we play video games, we don’t look at them as managers if you know what I mean. They come out with us. They hang out with us. Class together, like everything. They’re just a part of the whole family. Ain’t no levels. Ain’t no ranks. If they tell me something, I’m gonna respect it the same he tells me something. That’s just what it is,” Clark said.
“Shout out to the managers again. They’re with us every night, every morning, putting in so much work. Like, if we’re working, they’re working with us. They rebound, they stay late, they do everything for us,” added Jaquez.