Newcomer Dent shows he's in a hurry to help the Bruins

Former New Mexico point guard's quick passing ability on display in workout.

- BY BEN BOLCH

JAN KIM LIM UCLA Athletics DONOVAN DENT averaged 6.4 assists last season and his style "just changes things," Mick Cronin says.

With a sudden burst, Donovan Dent accelerated toward the basket for a layup while absorbing contact that sent him tumbling to the baseline.

With an outstretched hand, Dent blocked a shot to trigger a fast break that he ended with his own long jumper.

With a flick of the wrist, Dent made almost every three-pointer he took.

Everything UCLA's point guard did Tuesday during a roughly 80-minute summer workout open to reporters showed his ability to elevate his new team.

"It just changes things," coach Mick Cronin said of having the veteran transfer from New Mexico, "and it makes life easier on his teammates."

It could also quicken the pace of Bruins basketball.

Dent said part of Cronin's recruiting pitch after he entered the transfer portal was playing faster, helping the team convert turnovers into transition points.

"He felt like I could fit right into that system and he just needed someone he could trust with the ball in their hand," Dent said, "and I feel like that was what I could bring to the table. So we talked about that, we talked about playing a lot of pick and rolls, and he's been doing that a lot in practice. So I'm excited to see what we're gonna get going during the season."