Former Bruins Players Share Troubling Reflections on UCLA Experience

Is there a brewing storm for Mick Cronin and the UCLA Bruins? Since taking the helm of the basketball program in 2019, Cronin has not shied away from controversy, and recent developments suggest that tensions may still be simmering. The latest incident involves former players Donovan Dent and Devin Williams, who have hinted at a less-than-positive experience during their time at UCLA.

Williams, who was part of the Bruins from 2023 to 2025, recently shared a TikTok slideshow filled with images from his UCLA days, captioned “darkest time of ma life.” In a notable interaction, Dent, who played for UCLA last year, chimed in on the post with a simple “!!!” This prompted Williams to respond with a message that casts a shadow over Cronin and the program: “gotta be in it to understand what mfs went thru.”

While it’s conceivable that the issues expressed by Williams and Dent could be unrelated to Cronin or the basketball program, their shared sentiments raise questions about the environment at UCLA. Although their playing tenures did not overlap, both players seem to resonate with similar experiences.

Following their time with the Bruins, both players have moved forward in their careers. Williams is set to play at Seton Hall next season, while Dent has decided to retire from playing and pursue a coaching path. This situation takes on further weight as the RecruitsNews Instagram account highlighted Dent’s retirement, with Williams commenting cryptically, “we know the truth.”

The narrative is compounded by UCLA's recent struggles; the team has not advanced to the Sweet 16 since 2023 and has yet to contend for a conference title since joining the Big Ten in 2024. The ongoing challenges may be contributing to the discontent among former players.