Skyy Clark leaves behind spacing void that UCLA will look to replace

Skyy Clark spent two seasons at UCLA. After spending a year apiece at Illinois and Louisville. He has been in the process of seeking one year of eligibility through a petition to the NCAA. While he was going through that, he decided to enter his name into the transfer portal. Barring a huge change, he will be playing for his fourth college basketball team. If his petition is granted for another year.

Clark only played 13 games since freshman season at Illinois before transferring. That was the basis behind petitioning for one more year. Clark came to UCLA and was an effective player for the team. He can shoot the ball very well and plays tough defense. In his two seasons with the Bruins, he played in 60 games and shot 47.4% from the floor. His biggest attribute for the team was his ability to space the floor as he shot 41.7% from 3-point range.

Clark leaves a large void for the Bruins at the guard position. But there is positivity that can be seen. UCLA was able to weather the storm and played well in Clark’s absence this last season. He missed a good amount of time with a hamstring injury and it allowed Trent Perry to break out. Perry returns to the Bruins as their best player for the 2026 season. The ceiling is high for him in what he can do for this team.

UCLA has been in the transfer portal and been very busy. They’re interested in Jaylen Petty, who would help provide spacing that Clark is leaving behind. He would also give the team three years of eligibility. As UCLA is looking to go younger and try and develop players. It has not been something they have done in the past, but a new approach is needed for this team. The outlook is they will be able to find someone who can space the floor and will have more eligibility.