Trent Perry becomes the biggest piece to the 2026 puzzle as he announces return to UCLA

The biggest domino for UCLA has fell this offseason. As Trent Perry announced that he will return for the 2026 season. He is UCLA’s best player returning after his breakout 2025 season as a sophomore. Perry is a legit three-level scorer and will provide UCLA with a good building block. With UCLA possibly going out into the transfer portal to help get more scoring and defense. As they try and put the round of 32 exits behind them.

Perry started the season out as the first player off of the bench. But a hamstring injury to Skyy Clark put him into the starting lineup. He played so well that he never relinquished that starting role. Forcing the Bruins back to a three guard starting lineup. It saved their season and allowed them to make the NCAA tournament. Now Perry looks to be the lead dog for the 2026 team and he has all the tools to do so.

Perry is a guy that has the ability to be a 20 points per game guy. He plays such a smooth and fluid game, spacing the floor with his great shooting and ability to drive. He is able to create free-throw opportunities as well and converts them at a good rate of 85.8%. Perry averaged 12.6 points per game on 43.6% shooting from the floor and 39.2% from 3-point range. His best game of the season was when he had 30 points in a win over Penn State.

Perry his freshman season did not see much playing time only playing 11.3 minutes per game. He was seen as a spark plug off of the bench as a defensive guy. This past season as a sophomore is when he really broke out on the offensive end. His ceiling is higher than any other UCLA player and he should have a great junior year. Now UCLA awaits an NCAA decision on Skyy Clark’s eligibility. But this is huge news for the Bruins to get this commitment.