The sky is the limit for Trent Perry in the 2026 season for the Bruins

Trent Perry had a breakout sophomore year that was led by him entering the starting lineup. He started out the season coming off of the bench as the sixth man. But once Skyy Clark went out with his hamstring injury. Perry went into the starting lineup and never looked back. Becoming the most consistent player for the Bruins as Donovan Dent and Tyler Bilodeau battled small injuries.

Perry has the ability to be a player that can score 20 points per game. There were many games this past season where he showed he can shoot, get downhill to the basket and create free-throw opportunities. His ability to score the basketball is by far the best on the Bruins. He will be the leader of this team in 2026 as they continue to rebuild their roster. Him returning was the best news that UCLA could’ve received this offseason.

Perry saw limited time has freshman year off of the bench. Being more of a defensive spark plug than an offensive player. His defense slipped a little bit as a sophomore, but we know the talent is there. Mick Cronin will need to unlock that potential in him. Being able to make him an effective defender while also being the number one scoring option. If he can do that, he can be one of the best players in the Big Ten.

UCLA is seeing many roster changes. But now with Perry is a building block they can start to build the roster around him. Knowing that he possibly has two years of eligibility remaining. But with a strong junior season, it is quite possible that he could insert into NBA Draft talks. So, UCLA has started a new strategy of going younger eligibility wise. As they try and build a multi-year project and not just one year competing.