Potential UCLA commit Nikola Kusturica scores 37 against Team USA

While it’s still not official, it’s looking more and more likely that the UCLA Bruins will land Serbian forward Nikola Kusturica. Kusturica faced Team USA in Sunday’s FIBA U17 World Cup championship game.Kusturica lived up to the hype, scoring 37 points, grabbing nine rebounds and two assists in Serbia’s 107-81 loss.

Kusturica scored nearly half of Serbia’s points, the 6’8” forward got his shots up too, going 9-23 from the field, 2-11 from three and 17-22 from the free throw line.🇷🇸 Nikola Kusturica showed why he’s considered one of the top prospects in the world with a big game despite the loss to team USA37 points9 boards2 assists9-23 FG2-11 3P17-22 FTPretty wild performance by the 6’8 do it wing, reportedly headed to the NCAA next season pic.twitter.

com/sTEphHUwAy— nbadraftpoint (@nbadraftpoint) July 5, 2026The 22 free throw attempts are eye-catching but if Kusturica can get to the line consistently, it’ll raise his floor as an offensive player. For his efforts in the tournament, Kusturica was named to the FIBA U17 World Cup All-Star Five and earned the tournament’s Best Defensive Player award.It was reported on Saturday that UCLA offered Kusturica a 2-year $12 million NIL deal that would keep Kusturica in Westwood until 2028 when he becomes NBA draft eligible.

There’s been no commitment yet from Kusturica but that pricepoint is seeming justified after his showing in the U17 World Cup.If Kusturica does end up on UCLA’s roster this fall, not only will he have the international experience, he’d have professional experience, with Kusturica playing in Spain with FC Barcelona on the club’s first team.Rivals Senior National Recruiting Analyst Jamie Shaw was impressed by Kusturica’s showing in the World Cup.

“Frame & length immediately pass the test, but his feel is what really pops,” Shaw said. “Quick ball-in-hand processor who gets to his spots off the bounce, showing excellent change-of-pace and keeps defense on their heels.”With the U17 World Cup now over, attention