Donovan Dent

Last updated
Donovan Dent
UCLA Bruins
Position Point guard
League Big Ten Conference
Personal information
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school Centennial
(Corona, California)
College
Career highlights and awards

Donovan Dent is an American college basketball point guard for the UCLA Bruins of the Big Ten Conference. He previously played for the New Mexico Lobos, earning conference player of the year honors in the Mountain West in 2025.

Contents

High school career

Dent attended Centennial High School in Corona, California. As a senior, Dent averaged 16.2 points and 6.6 assists per game, leading Centennial to a 33–1 record and a state championship. [1] [2] As a result, he was named California Mr. Basketball and the John R. Wooden High School Player of the Year. [3] [4] A four-star recruit, he committed to play college basketball at the University of New Mexico. [5] [6]

College career

After playing a role as a reserve during his freshman year, Dent had a breakout season as a sophomore. [7] Against Colorado State, Dent hit the game-winning layup to defeat the Rams, 68–66. [8] He finished his sophomore campaign averaging 14.1 points and 5.4 assists per game, while being named to the Second-team All-Mountain West. [9] During his junior season, Dent emerged as the Mountain West Conference's leading scorer. [10] Against VCU, he scored a career-high 40 points leading the Lobos to a 78–71 victory. [11] After standout performances against Fresno State and UNLV, Dent was named the Mountain West Player of the Week for the third time of the season. [12] He finished his junior season averaging 20.5 points and 6.4 assists per game, being named the Mountain West Player of the Year. [13] Dent entered the transfer portal at the conclusion of the season. [14]

On March 28, 2025, Dent announced his decision to transfer to the University of California, Los Angeles, to play for the UCLA Bruins. [15] [16]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2022–23 New Mexico 34218.5.507.211.6852.02.3.9.75.6
2023–24 New Mexico 353531.3.520.375.6822.55.41.5.714.1
2024–25 New Mexico 353535.3.490.409.7842.36.41.4.920.4

References

  1. "Boys' basketball player of the year: Donovan Dent of Corona Centennial". Los Angeles Times. 2022-03-20. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  2. "Centennial's Donovan Dent is the IE Varsity boys basketball player of the year". Daily Bulletin. 2022-04-03. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  3. Flores, Ronnie. "Mr. Basketball 2022: Making A Dent". Cal-Hi Sports. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  4. "Centennial High Athlete Receives 2022 John R. Wooden High School Player of the Year Award". www.cnusd.k12.ca.us. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  5. Grammer, Geoff (2021-09-15). "Lobos look 'Inland' once again for latest hoops recruit". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  6. "Donovan Dent says yes to New Mexico basketball". KRQE. 2021-09-16. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  7. Grammer, Geoff (2023-12-11). "Lobos' super sophomore Donovan Dent continues to crush California competition". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  8. Webber, Will (2024-02-22). "Dent's game-winning play for Lobos makes social media splash". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  9. Grammer, Geoff (2024-11-03). "Mountain West coaches heap praise on Donovan Dent as he leads Lobos into season". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  10. Grammer, Geoff (2025-01-13). "Around the Mountain: UNM's Dent, honored again with a weekly award, is making case for Player of the Year". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  11. Webber, Will (2024-12-18). "Lobos' Dent puts up career-high 40 points in 78-71 win over VCU". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  12. "Donovan Dent Earns Mountain West Player of the Week Honors". KRQE. 2025-01-28. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  13. Heisen, Aaron (2025-03-29). "Inside look at why Donovan Dent is transferring to UCLA". Daily News. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  14. Champion, Brandon (2025-03-25). "New Mexico star enters transfer portal days after loss to Michigan State". mlive. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  15. "UCLA lands MWC Player of Year Dent from portal". ESPN.com. 2025-03-29. Retrieved 2025-03-29.
  16. "UCLA finds its Dylan Andrews replacement in former New Mexico standout Donovan Dent". Los Angeles Times. 2025-03-29. Retrieved 2025-03-29.