Maine West grad Dugalic transferring from Oregon to UCLA

Maine West graduate Angela Dugalic is heading west - again.

After playing her freshman basketball season at Oregon, Dugalic announced Wednesday her plans to transfer to UCLA.

A rare blend of size, athleticism and versatility, the 6-foot-4 Dugalic picked UCLA over Maryland and a possible return to Oregon after entering the transfer portal last week.

Dugalic should be eligible to play immediately for the Bruins due to the NCAA modifying its transfer guidelines.

Dugalic, who led Maine West to a 35-0 record and a Class 4A state championship in her junior season, said she wanted a change of scenery.

"My mental health is a priority for me, and this year, it hasn't been great," Dugalic said. "It's nothing that the (Oregon) coaches did or said, but simply just a decision I needed to make that will help me in the future.

"It was extremely difficult, from not knowing if it was the right decision, to selecting a school and just the pressure and reaction from people was really stressful."

Dugalic, a forward, averaged 3.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 12 minutes in 24 games played, including one start. She shot 42.4 percent from the field. A McDonald's All-American and the 2020 Illinois Ms. Basketball, Dugalic is the fourth player to transfer from the Ducks during the offseason.

Dugalic said she never visited UCLA, but the Bruins were among her main suitors in high school. Dugalic said the Bruins' coaching staff plans to use her as a stretch-4. Dugalic is currently in Serbia trying out for the national team.

"I knew (UCLA) from before and when playing against them," she said. "You could tell that they're a close-knit group."

Dugalic set numerous records at Maine West, playing in a school record 135 games. She finished with 1,782 points, 1,067 rebounds, 285 steals, 237 assists and blocked 150 shots.