UCLA continues trend of going younger eligibility wise with Jaylen Petty interest

Jaylen Petty looks to be another UCLA target that the Bruins are going after. The Texas Tech guard entered the portal after one season at the school. For the 2025 season he averaged 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game for the Red Raiders. Doing so on 40.6% shooting from the field and being a good 3-point shooter at 37.5% on a high volume of 5.6 attempts per night. He would provide good spacing for the team. He is a 6'1 guard that moves fluidly with the ball.

Skyy Clark who recently hit the transfer portal leaves a void in spacing for the team. Petty could slot right into that position and comes with three years of eligibility. That seems to be a strategy of UCLA through the portal. As they’ve also gotten Filip Jović and Sergej Macura with three years of eligibility as well. Going younger and creating a larger window provides a lot of upside.

UCLA has the opportunity to compete this upcoming year in 2026 by bringing back Trent Perry. Well, also continuing to grow their team and develop players for the future. As they look to get past their round of 32 curse. They have not reached the Sweet 16 since 2023 when Jaime Jaquez Jr. was on the team. They need to make moves to prove they’re a serious team.

With Donovan Dent and Tyler Bilodeau on the way out that alone is a 31 points per game void to replace. Then Clark is another 11.5 points per game. Those three players alone are 56% of their offense. Petty has a high ceiling after a good freshman year. He could help fill some of those points. Stepping in right away to start alongside Perry. As UCLA looks to get another wing through the door as well.