UCLA forward Berke Buyuktuncel enters NCAA transfer portal

UCLA forward Berke Buyuktuncel has entered the NCAA transfer portal, On3 has learned.

Buyuktuncel played in 26 games for the Bruins in 2023-24, making eight starts. He averaged 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game.

Berke Buyuktuncel just wrapped up his freshman season at UCLA and is now on the move. He attended Ozluce Doga Kolegi, located in Bursa, Turkey, prior to joining the Bruins program.

In the summer of 2023, Buyuktuncel helped Turkey finish in third place at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. He was one of five standout players named to the “All-Star Five” at the FIBA U19.

Oregon State transfer Tyler Bilodeau commits to UCLA

While UCLA lost Berke Buyuktuncel to the transfer portal, the Bruins have added several portal players this offseason, including Oregon State transfer Tyler Bilodeau.

Bilodeau is coming off a breakout season for the Beavers, having averaged 14.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game during his sophomore season.

The 6-foot-9, 220-pound sophomore will offer some immediate upside to the Bruins. For one, he can stretch the floor.

Bilodeau improved considerably as a 3-point shooter from his freshman year to his sophomore year, going from 30.0% to 34.5%. He also did it on increasing volume, taking 40 shots from downtown as a freshman and 87 as a sophomore.

That kind of ability will make him an intriguing piece for coach Mick Cronin to work with as UCLA transitions to the Big Ten next year.

Then there’s the sheer productivity. More scorer than rebounder, Bilodeau recorded three double-doubles as a sophomore. He scored in double figures in 26 of 32 contests.

Bilodeau has started 45 games in 64 appearances over the last two years.

Prior to enrolling at Oregon State, Tyler Bilodeau was a three-star prospect and the No. 254 overall recruit in the 2022 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

He also checked in as the No. 52 power forward in the class and the No. 2 overall player from the state of Washington, hailing from Kennewick (WA) Kennewick.

So far this offseason UCLA is plus one on attrition via the transfer portal. The Bruins have had three players — Will McClendon, Jan Vide and Ilane Fibleuil — transfer out. They’ve also had three players now transfer in prior to Bilodeau.

Along with Bilodeau, the Bruins have added impact transfers Eric Dailey (Oregon State), Kobe Johnson (USC) and Skyy Clark (Louisville).

UCLA is looking to turn things around after missing out on the NCAA Tournament following a 16-17 season.