Donovan Dent seems to have come to a significant turning point in his basketball journey. After a tumultuous final season at college, he’s announced that he’s stepping away from professional basketball. The former UCLA point guard shared his plans to transition into coaching young players in New Mexico, where he feels at home.
A close associate of Dent confirmed this news recently, though they requested anonymity given the personal nature of the decision. Interestingly, Dent hasn’t entirely closed the door on playing, as he mentioned participating with some ex-teammates from New Mexico State in an upcoming tournament offering $2 million to the winner.
His retirement marks the conclusion of a notable chapter for the former Lobos standout, who received the National Player of the Year title before moving to UCLA for his senior year. Many had high hopes for him as a potential NBA prospect and a leader for the Bruins in the NCAA Tournament.
However, things didn’t go as planned. Under a coach focused on defense and dealing with increased expectations and a significant NIL contract, Dent struggled to perform at the level he had in New Mexico. Injuries—a foot issue and a torn abdominal muscle—further complicated his situation, hampering his progress particularly at a competitive level.
“I was at rock bottom for sure at the beginning of the season,” Dent expressed during an interview a few months back.
His shooting statistics suffered significantly, and he faced challenges when attempting to score near the rim. His close friend, Josh Giles, relayed to the California Post that Dent didn’t seem to receive the same level of support he once had. “Now all of a sudden you’re getting texts and DMs saying things like, ‘I want you to kill yourself, I want you to tear your ACL tomorrow…’ It messes with people,” he noted, suggesting it was a tougher experience for Dent than he might admit.
After a pivotal conversation with UCLA coach Mick Cronin following a loss to Ohio State, Dent began to shift his outlook. Cronin encouraged him to keep a positive mindset, coinciding with Dent’s gradual recovery from his injuries.
In the final stretch of the season, he showcased his talent, highlighted by a standout performance against Purdue where he scored 23 points and tallied 13 assists.
“I’ve definitely thought differently now compared to back then,” Dent said with a grin during the Big Ten Tournament.
Yet, during the NCAA Tournament, his earlier shooting woes resurfaced again, as he managed only 23.1% shooting before the Bruins were eliminated in the second round.
Unless he has a change of heart, Dent appears to be firm in stepping away from professional basketball.
Returning to Albuquerque has allowed him to be closer to his girlfriend, Caitlin Estrada, a medical student there. He hopes that this new chapter will inspire a love for the game in the young athletes he plans to train.
“Albuquerque has given me so much, so I wanted to start here,” Dent shared. “I feel like this is the perfect place for me to train young people and give back to them.”
