Famous former UCLA athletes

Basketball: Here is a list of some of the most famous UCLA basketball players to ever wear a Bruin jersey.

Lev Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar): From 1967 to 1969, he led UCLA to three consecutive NCAA championships, dominated college basketball with his size and skill (the dunk was even banned in some areas because of him), and became an NBA legend with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Reasons for his fame: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, known as Lew Alcindor during his time at UCLA, is one of the greatest basketball players of all time and was a dominant force on the court with his skyhook shot. He is also known for his social activism and influence outside of basketball and has starred in some popular films and has also guest-starred on some television shows. Russell Westbrook: Along with Kevin Durant and James Harden, Westbrook formed one of the most legendary trios in basketball at the Oklahoma City Thunder. His dazzling passes and showmanship revolutionized the point guard position in the early 2010s. Reasons for fame: During the 2016–2017 NBA season, Westbrook achieved the remarkable feat of averaging a triple-double throughout the season (31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, 10.4 assists per game), which earned him the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Bill Walton: A charismatic and talented center, he led the Bruins to two NCAA championships in 1972 and 1973 and won numerous awards with his rebounding and passing skills. Reasons for his fame: Bill Walton is another legendary UCLA basketball player, including the Naismith College Player of the Year. His exceptional skills as a center and charismatic personality contributed to his fame. He was a well-known television commentator for ESPN and the Pac-12 Network. Ann Meyers Drysdale: She is a trailblazer in women’s basketball. She played for UCLA from 1974 to 1978 and was the first female athlete to receive a full scholarship to that university. Meyers Drysdale was a standout player, known for her all-around skills and competitive spirit. She had a successful career in both professional basketball and broadcasting, becoming a pioneering figure for women in sports media. Reasons for fame: She was also the first female player to sign a contract with an NBA franchise, the 1979 Indiana Pacers. Meyers served as vice president of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and president and general manager of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. She worked for more than 26 years as a color analyst for the Phoenix Suns’ television broadcasts and as a sports analyst for network television stations TNT, ESPN, CBS and NBC.

Athletics/Baseball: Here’s a list of reasons why these former Bruins athletes left a legacy from their time at UCLA: what they accomplished professionally and the impact they had.

Florence Griffith-Joyner (“Flo-Jo”): Nicknamed “Flo-Jo,” she set world records in the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints that still stand today. Her style and dominant performances made her a global icon. Reasons for her fame: She won three gold medals and one silver medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Her most notable performance was in the 100 meters, where she set a world record of 10.49 seconds. She became a cultural icon and a role model for aspiring athletes, especially young women. Her charisma, confidence and dedication to her sport inspired many to pursue their athletic dreams. Jackie Robinson: A legend even before his professional baseball career, Robinson broke racial barriers in collegiate sports by playing four sports (football, basketball, baseball and track) at UCLA. Reasons for fame: On April 15, 1947, he became the first African-American player to break racial segregation in MLB by playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. This brave act challenged long-standing racial segregation in professional baseball and paved the way for future generations of African-American and minority players. He was named MLB Rookie of the Year in 1947 and went on to have a stellar career that included six All-Star nominations, an NL MVP award in 1949 and helped the Brooklyn Dodgers win their first World Series in 1955. His jersey number, 42, was retired by all MLB teams in 1997, a testament to his lasting legacy and contribution to American history.

Football: Here is the most famous and well-known former UCLA football player.

Troy Aikman – Aikman played quarterback for UCLA from 1987 to 1988 before going on to a Hall of Fame career in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. He led UCLA to a 20-4 record as a starter and was known for his strong arm and leadership on the field. Aikman’s success at UCLA cemented his reputation as one of the best quarterbacks in college football at the time. Reasons for fame: He played quarterback for the Cowboys from 1989 to 2000. During his tenure, he led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories (Super Bowl XXVII, XXVIII and XXX). Aikman began a successful career as a television sportscaster and co-commentator for NFL games.

Coaches who were and are famous for their time as head coaches at UCLA.

John Wooden: Although not a player, Coach Wooden’s success is unmatched. He led UCLA to ten national championships in men’s basketball, built a dynasty and became synonymous with excellence. Reasons for fame: He implemented his famous “Pyramid of Success,” a philosophy that emphasized principles such as hard work, loyalty, collaboration and competitiveness, among others. As a coach, he won 10 NCAA national championships in 12 years, including seven consecutive titles from 1967 to 1973. Al Scates: Like Wooden, he brought double-digit national championship titles to UCLA as one of the winningest volleyball coaches in NCAA history. He coached the UCLA Bruins men’s volleyball team from 1963 to 2012, winning 19 NCAA national championships during that time, making him the winningest coach in NCAA volleyball history. Reasons for fame: Scates’ teams won college volleyball championships in five different decades, an amazing feat in terms of longevity. Known as “the other Wizard of Westwood,” he technically surpassed John Wooden in NCAA championship wins. Twice, his teams won three consecutive national titles.