UCLA Men’s Basketball Acquires Real Madrid Wing Gunars Grinvalds

UCLA men’s basketball is adding former Real Madrid forward Gunars Grinvalds to the roster for next season. The 6-foot-7 Latvia native reportedly committed to UCLA on Friday, according to Draft Express.

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NEWS: Real Madrid’s Gunars Grinvalds has committed to UCLA, he tells DraftExpress.

The 18-year-old 6’7” Latvian wing made his ACB and EuroLeague debuts, played a key role in his club’s LigaU title run, and popped at the NextGen EuroLeague Finals. pic.twitter.com/gHcI5EIc26

— Jon Chepkevich (@JonChep) June 5, 2026

Grinvalds started playing professionally in Spain with Real Madrid last season, making debuts in both the ACB and EuroLeague in 2025. The 18-year-old helped Real Madrid win the LigaU title and shined during the NextGen EuroLeague Finals.

Real Madrid is one of the top professional basketball clubs in Europe. Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic also competed with Real Madrid before coming to the United States to play in the NBA.

Feb 3, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) gestures after scoring in the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Additionally, Grinvalds represented Latvia during the 2024 U16 Eurobasket tournament, where he averaged 9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists across seven games.

Grinvalds Is UCLA’s 12th Scholarship Player

Photo Credit: Sara Gordon

In addition to acquiring Grinvalds, UCLA is adding two other incoming freshmen in center Javonte Floyd and power forward Joe Philon.

Through the transfer portal, the Bruins landed four players: Auburn center Filip Jovic, Mississippi State forward Sergej Macura, Texas Tech guard Jaylen Petty and Butler guard Azavier Robinson. UCLA also has five returning scholarship players in Trent Perry, Eric Dailey Jr., Xavier Booker, Brandon Williams and Eric Freeny.

UCLA could still add another player to the roster ahead of next season.

Grinvalds will help fill the small forward role for UCLA next season. He is expected to compete with Philon for playing time on the wing. One of Grinvalds’ biggest strengths on the court is his 3-point shooting.

A highlight reel of Grinvalds playing for Real Madrid is available to watch below:

Photo Credit: Sara Gordon

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