Latest Big Ten Awards Projection Highlights UCLA’s Donovan Dent

The Bruins' star guard is close to being a big name in the conference this year.

Mar 20, 2025; Cleveland, OH, USA; New Mexico Lobos guard Donovan Dent (2) speak with the media during NCAA Tournament First Round Practice at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

With an exhibition win against San Diego State behind them, the UCLA Bruins men's basketball season is getting closer by the day.

The Bruins are not only projected to be one of the best teams in the country, coming into the season as the No. 12 team on the AP poll, but they're also a prime contender in the Big Ten Conference.

Much of the projected success comes on the heels of adding star point guard and reigning Mountain West Player of the Year Donovan Dent, who has already been growing buzz around Big Ten circles.

ESPN went through every conference ahead of the college basketball season and tried to predict the player of the year award. Despite the growing buzz around Dent in Westwood, the media conglomerate opted with star Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith, but listed Dent as Smith's top competition.

"In ESPN's ranking of the 2022 recruiting class, Smith was listed as the 31st-best guard," Myron Medcalf wrote. "Fast forward three years, Smith enters this season as the favorite to win the Wooden Award. The 6-foot guard, who earned a spot on the AP All-America team last season, is back after earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors (15.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.2 SPG, 38% 3P%). He could become Purdue's third Wooden Award winner in four years."

Mar 23, 2025; Cleveland, OH, USA; New Mexico Lobos guard Donovan Dent (2) dribbles the ball defended by Michigan State Spartans guard Jeremy Fears Jr. (1) in the second half during the NCAA Tournament Second Round at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Dent, as dynamic as he is, will be just one half of what projects to be an elite Bruins backcourt. His backcourt mate, Skyy Clark, has been turning heads all offseason. In their 67-60 win over the Aztecs on Friday, Dent finished with 18 points and three assists and Clark ended with 13 points and four rebounds.

Clark Impressing Coaches With Elite Preseason Form

Between the star acquisition of Dent and the maintained continuity with veterans like Tyler Bilodeau and Eric Dailey Jr., one name that's buzzing out of the Bruins' preseason is senior guard Skyy Clark.

Mar 20, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) during the second half against the Utah State Aggies in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images | Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

College basketball insider for CBS Sports, Jon Rothstein, reported that his phone has been blowing up with Clark's name at the forefront.

"Highly placed spies in Westwood continue to send word that Skyy Clark is playing at an elite level for UCLA," Rothstein said in an X (formerly Twitter) post. "Averaged 10.5 PPG and shot 50% from 3 in the Bruins' final 17 games of last season. And that came without a PG like Donovan Dent."

Nov 22, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin and guard Eric Dailey Jr. (3) talk during the second half against the Cal State Fullerton Titans at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Mixing a potential leap for Clark this year with the Dent addition means the Bruins may be in store for a real quality season. UCLA is already pegged as the No. 12 team on the official preseason AP Top 25 poll.

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