What’s Bruin: UCLA Basketball's Prince Ali and Alex Olesinski to Redshirt

UCLA announced last night that sophomores Prince Ali and Alex Olesinski have opted to redshirt the 2016-17 basketball season.

More from the Daily Bruin:

Ali underwent surgery this summer to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The sophomore guard averaged 3.9 points and 1.1 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per game last year as UCLA finished 15-17.

Olesinski, a sophomore from New Mexico, has been out with a stress reaction in his left foot since early November.

While Olesinski may not have seen much time in the front court behind starters TJ Leaf and Thomas Welsh, and reserves Ike Anigbogu and GG Goloman, Prince Ali could have provided some depth in the backcourt.

Both sophomores have been practicing with the team.

Chad Ford released an NBA mock draft, with Bleacher Report’s Joe Pantorno providing some reaction. Three Bruins (3!) appear in the first round, with Lonzo Ball going #2 to the Celtics via the Nets:

Thanks to the Brooklyn Nets' struggles, the Boston Celtics might have a chance to draft him at No. 2 overall.

Even though Boston does have a crowded backcourt, especially at the point guard position with Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, Terry Rozierand Demetrus Jackson, Ball's all-around excellence could be too much for the Celtics to pass up.

Ford has Leaf going #15 to the Trail Blazers, and Anigbogu #27 to the Raptors.

#MiqueWatch2017:

Your weekly poll check has six Bruin teams in the top-25 this week:

The men’s basketball team returns to Pauley Pavilion tonight to play UC Berkeley. Keep your eye out for some celebrities...

GO BRUINS.