UCLA forward Ilane Fibleuil enters NCAA transfer portal
UCLA forward Ilane Fibleuil has entered the NCAA transfer portal, On3 has learned. Fibleuil spent just one season with the program but will now be looking to continue his college career elsewhere.
Despite play in 23 games as a true freshman, Fibleuil did not make too big of an impact. He averaged 1.0 point and 1.5 rebounds. Fibleuil played 10 minutes or more in just seven of those appearances, with his season high being 25 minutes against Lafayette.
The top scoring performance from Fibleuil came during the regular season loss to Gonzaga, knocking down two shots from the field and two free throws to finish with six points. Ironically, the Bulldogs were the only other reported offer Fibleuil got from the college basketball world.
Fibleuil played high school basketball at INSEP Paris in France, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 85 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Head coach Mick Cronin brought Fibleuil into the program, thinking there was a ton of potential. While the forward still has the ability to grow as a player, it likely will not be with UCLA.
UCLA misses NCAA Tournament for first time under Mick Cronin
For the first time in the Cronin era, UCLA missed the NCAA Tournament this season. The Bruins were never a consistent teams, going on multiple long winning and losing streaks. Bracektologists never had them on the bubble later in the season either, needing a Pac-12 Tournament win to earn a bid.
Unfortunately, Oregon bounced UCLA in the quarterfinals, ending any kind of bid stealing opportunity.
A new era is now upon the program as they transition from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten, along with crosstown rival USC, Oregon, and Washington. A deeper league will be facing Cronin and a big-time response is needed. Even if they were to stay put from a conference perspective, Cronin would need to bounce back in 2024-2025.
Roster turnover is going to happen, as evidence with Fibleuil entering the portal. UCLA will have to dip into there themselves, likely having a who new group of players to work with. A critical offseason ahead in Los Angeles.