The Hole UCLA’s Clark Would Leave if Deemed Ineligible

The Bruins will already be losing multiple key players this offseason, which will be a struggle to move on from, whether it be losing their pillar in Tyler Bilodeau or losing their hype from Donovan Dent.

Players will need to step up, such as Trent Perry, to fill the voids left behind. It seems as though UCLA might not be able to handle another big loss, and if it can, it will be a very challenging endeavor.

Skyy Clark, UCLA — Mar 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Skyy Clark (55) in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

However, there is a chance they lose another major player, as Skyy Clark is having to lobby the NCAA for one more year in college basketball, and if he has to leave like Dent and Bilodeau, the team will be missing another key piece.

What Skyy Clark Would Be Taking With Him

UCLA has not been the best three-point shooting team in the country when Clark is not on the court, as he has been the elite shooter behind the arc who can be kicked out to and relied on for three points.

When he was gone, and Perry had to take his place, the offense shifted towards attacking the paint, and that worked for a time, but it was not a strategy that lasted.

If Clark has to leave the team, there will be no bona fide shooter left behind, as players like Perry and Xavier Booker can have good nights but not the consistency that Clark had.

Should he have to go, the Bruins might have to shift much of their offensive scheme to the paint and away from the three-point shot, which would be a difficult adjustment.

Who Could Step Up if Skyy Clark Leaves

The first of two major players who could step up in Clark's absence would be Trent Perry, as he already did during a double-digit game stretch when Clark was off the court due to a hamstring injury.

However, he will already be carrying the load of leading the team as a whole with Dent leaving, so he would not be the most likely candidate to become the reliable three-point shooter.

The name that could be much more likely would be Eric Freeny, who has already had some big moments off the bench this year, and could do much more with a starting position and more time.

This would only happen if Clark cannot get another year of eligibility, and it would be a hard adjustment for UCLA.