Other programs, including Gonzaga, Louisville, and Tennessee, also showed interest in Dent, but he ultimately chose UCLA.

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin is familiar with Dent's capabilities, having seen him score 17 points and provide 8 assists in a previous matchup.

Donovan Dent, a standout guard from New Mexico, has committed to UCLA after entering the transfer portal earlier this week.

This marks the second consecutive season that New Mexico has lost its leading scorer to a major conference team, following JT Toppin's transfer to Texas Tech.

During his impressive season at New Mexico, Dent averaged 20.4 points and 6.5 assists per game, earning him the title of Mountain West Conference Player of the Year.

His addition is particularly timely as it fills the gap left by Dylan Andrews, who is also in the transfer portal.

Ranked as the No. 2 player in the transfer portal by 247Sports, Dent was widely regarded as the best available player, attracting strong interest from programs including Kentucky.

He showcased his scoring ability with a shooting percentage of 49.0%, including a notable 40.9% from three-point range.

Dent ended the season strong, scoring at least 20 points in nine of his last ten games, highlighted by a standout 33-point performance against Nevada.

Next season, Dent is expected to take over as the starting point guard for UCLA, succeeding Andrews, who started 61 games for the Bruins over the past two seasons.

UCLA's acquisition of Dent bolsters their transfer portal class, which currently ranks second nationally, behind Iowa.

Returning to his home state of California, Dent adds significant talent to UCLA's roster, enhancing their competitive transfer portal class.