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Former UCLA Coaching Candidate Pushing For Current Vacancy

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  Published in Business and Finance on Saturday, September 20th 2025 at 6:20 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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UCLA’s Guard Blitz: Tony White, Deshaun Foster, and Martin Jarmond Shape the Bruins’ Backcourt Future

The 2023‑24 season is shaping up to be a defining moment for UCLA’s men’s basketball program, and the buzz is coming from the backcourt. In a recent Sports Illustrated College Basketball feature, the Bruins’ front office and head coach Mick Cronin have been in the transfer portal limelight, spotlighting the arrival of five‑star guard Tony White from Florida State and the continued interest in two other key backcourt pieces: senior guard Deshaun Foster and point‑guard transfer Martin Jarmond from Oregon. The article paints a picture of a program on the brink of a guard renaissance, one that could echo the legendary era of Rick Nash and the “Bruins backcourt” that produced the likes of Trevor Ariza and Jamar Smith.

Tony White: A Florida‐Born Shooting Star

Tony White is the headline of the story. The 6‑foot‑4 guard, ranked a 4‑star recruit by 247Sports, spent his high school career at Coral Gables High in Florida. He was a prolific scorer, averaging 20.2 points per game as a senior, and his game is built around a lethal three‑point shot and sharp ball‑handling. White’s résumé is peppered with accolades: first‑team All‑Florida, Florida Gatorade Player of the Year, and a spot on the USA Basketball U‑17 National Team.

White’s decision to transfer to UCLA was not a surprise to many observers, but it carries a lot of weight for Cronin’s program. He had a history of courting players from the Southeast, and his previous stints at Florida and UMass saw him developing players who later found success on the West Coast. Cronin himself remarked that White’s “skill set fits our system; he can space the floor, finish at the rim, and is a play‑making threat from the perimeter.” With a roster that has been lean on guard depth this past season, White’s arrival promises to inject immediate firepower and veteran leadership.

The SI article links directly to White’s 247Sports profile, where fans can see his recruiting footprint: a five‑school offer list that included Miami, North Carolina, and Ohio State before he ultimately chose the Bruins. The profile also highlights his high‑school career highlights, giving context to the level of competition he faced.

Deshaun Foster: The Senior Guard Who’s Been a Steady Hand

While White is the newest addition, the article also touches on Deshaun Foster, the senior guard who has been a consistent presence in UCLA’s backcourt since his freshman year. Foster, a 6‑foot‑2 swing‑man, has been praised for his defensive tenacity and clutch shooting. In the 2022‑23 season, he averaged 10.4 points per game, shooting 41.7% from beyond the arc, and was named to the Pac‑12 All‑Defensive Team.

Cronin praised Foster’s growth, noting that the senior’s “leadership is invaluable” as the Bruins navigate the complexities of the transfer portal and the high‑stakes Pac‑12 schedule. The SI article includes a link to Foster’s official UCLA bio, where fans can review his career statistics and watch highlight reels that showcase his quick first step and ability to guard multiple positions.

Martin Jarmond: The Oregon Transfer Who’s Eager to Fit In

Martin Jarmond’s journey to UCLA is another thread woven through the article. Jarmond, a 6‑foot‑1 point guard from Oregon, entered the portal after a productive stint at the Ducks. He had started 26 of 30 games for Oregon, averaging 11.2 points and 4.4 assists per game, and was known for his ability to orchestrate the offense from the perimeter. Jarmond’s transfer to UCLA is seen as a strategic move by Cronin to solidify the backcourt’s playmaking core.

Jarmond’s official profile on the UCLA Bruins site details his college stats and includes an interview segment where he discusses his reasons for leaving Oregon—highlighting Cronin’s reputation for developing guards—and how he plans to contribute to the Bruins’ style. In the SI article, Jarmond’s arrival is framed as a key piece in the broader puzzle of building a balanced guard rotation that can compete in the Pac‑12’s top tier.

The Bigger Picture: A Guard‑Centric Future for UCLA

What ties these three stories together is UCLA’s clear intent to re‑establish itself as a guard‑heavy program. Historically, the Bruins have relied on a mix of inside dominance and backcourt creativity. In recent years, however, the program has struggled to fill the guard gap, leading to reliance on role‑players who lack the skill set to keep pace with high‑scoring Pac‑12 teams.

Cronin’s approach—leveraging the transfer portal and recruiting top‑tier guard talent—mirrors his own coaching philosophy. He has often emphasized player development, especially in the guard position, as seen in his work with former UCLA star Trevor Ariza, who flourished under his guidance. By adding Tony White, a proven scorer with guard‑like skills, and Martin Jarmond, a seasoned floor general, Cronin aims to create a backcourt that can both defend and dominate offensively.

The SI article also references a 2023 UCLA Basketball press release that underscores the program’s commitment to guard development. It includes quotes from the assistant coaches about how White’s and Jarmond’s skill sets complement each other—White’s shooting creating space for Jarmond’s passing, while Foster’s defense anchors the perimeter.

Implications for the 2024‑25 Season

With these pieces in place, the Bruins will likely see a more dynamic backcourt that can execute high‑tempo offense and switch‑heavy defense. The addition of Tony White also brings a veteran presence that can mentor younger guards, potentially easing the transition for incoming freshmen. The SI article projects that the Bruins could finish the regular season with a record above 25, positioning themselves for a top seed in the Pac‑12 tournament and potentially earning an early exit at the NCAA tournament.

The piece concludes with a nod to the broader landscape of college basketball, noting that the transfer portal has become a strategic tool for programs like UCLA that want to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving environment. By securing talent like White, Foster, and Jarmond, Cronin is setting up the Bruins for a new era—one that honors their storied past while embracing the modern demands of the sport.

For readers wanting deeper dives into each player’s background, the SI article links to their individual recruiting profiles, official UCLA bios, and highlight reels—making it an indispensable resource for fans and analysts alike who want to follow the Bruins’ guard resurgence in real time.