UCLA Basketball: Former Bruin Among Preseason Top 25 Favorites For Clutch Player Award

No matter how great a player is in the first three quarters of a game, it has become clear that the most valuable stars are the ones that rise to the occasion once the fourth quarter rolls around and all eyes are on them. We have so many legacies get solidified and also crumble due to lack of composure in clutch moments and the best of players have made the biggest shots when it matters most.

Whether it is the NBA playoffs, March Madness tournament or even the regular season, one has to become comfortable being uncomfortable to consistently become okay with getting their name called in the biggest plays of the game. That's what makes the NBA's newest Clutch Player of the Year award so special... they are now recognizing someone that most experts agree shined when it mattered most across the course of a season.

De'Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings, a name that UCLA fans know well for unfortunate reasons, won the inaugural award last year and now looking ahead to the 2023-2024 season, a former Bruins star in Zach Lavine has been named among the top 25 favorites to take home the trophy when it comes to betting odds.

Lavine was among the best fourth quarter scorers last season as he dropped 461 points across 69 games and came in just behind the likes of Kyrie Irving, De'Aaron Fox, DeMar Derozan, Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James.

The high-flying guard finds himself in an interesting situation with the Chicago Bulls after being involved in some trade talks the past few months but ultimately staying put. He is one of the best three-level scorers in the game and even though the Bulls haven't been able to figure it out on both ends just yet, do not be surprised if he ends up winning the award!