College Basketball Preview: Pac 12's Arizona Loaded for Final Four Run

Player to Watch: Jaylen Hands

For a number of reasons, Lonzo Ball will be a huge missing presence from UCLA this season. Luckily for coach Steve Alford, he has another five-star recruit waiting in the wings.

Jaylen Hands, the 20th-ranked recruit in the ESPN100 Class of 2017, will be asked to step in as the facilitator for a still-talented supporting cast. Hands, a San Diego native, is described in his ESPN recruiting profile as having "uncanny vision." He'll have holdovers Aaron Holiday and Thomas Welsh, as well as fellow McDonald's All-American freshman Kris Wilkes to dish the ball to in hopes of recreating some of last year's magic.

While the heights of last season's offensive efficiency may be an unfair bar for this year's UCLA squad, don't be surprised if Hands emerges as a focal point for another explosive offensive unit in Westwood this season.