Skyy Clark close to returning for UCLA Bruins after injury

Skyy Clark is closing in on a return from a hamstring injury, which raises an important question for UCLA:

How does it continue to maximize Trent Perry’s minutes?

Perry has made a compelling case as one of the Bruins’ best players in the seven games Clark has missed. He’s been beating guys off the dribble, confidently draining jumpers and making almost every free throw. Not coincidentally, the Bruins have won five of those seven games.

So what happens once Clark comes back? Does coach Mick Cronin bring Perry off the bench as the primary backup to both Clark and point guard Donovan Dent while playing him alongside them occasionally? Or does he go with a three-guard starting lineup?

“You’ve got to find a way to get your best players on the floor,” Cronin said Friday. “It gives you the best chance to win.”

Hasn’t Trent shown that he qualifies as one of your best players?

“Yeah, I would agree,” Cronin said of the sophomore guard. “But not when he can’t breathe.”

Cronin was alluding to Perry’s having averaged 38.5 minutes per game since Clark went down in the second half against Iowa. The heavy workload hasn’t slowed the production of a player who has averaged 15.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 42.5% overall, 40.6% from three-point range and 91.9% from the free-throw line with Clark out.

“He’s way tougher than he was last year,” forward Eric Dailey Jr. said of Perry. “He’s way smarter. He’s playing with a lot more poise. And I think coach is giving him that confidence to go there, when you’re open, shoot the ball, and when you’re not, pass it.”

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While Cronin acknowledged having gotten excited recently over Clark’s progress in his recovery, the senior guard did not appear on the verge of returning when the Bruins (15-6 overall, 7-3 Big Ten) face Indiana (14-7, 5-5) on Saturday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion based on his participation in the part of practice open to reporters. His only work came on an exercise bike and completing a series of stretches with athletic performance coach Dave Andrews.

Perry said his mindset wouldn’t change once Clark returned.

“I mean, just keep doing what I’m doing, whether he’s back or not,” Perry said. “Just keep doing what I’m doing, being aggressive, staying confident and, you know, just providing everything I can for the team to win.”

Perry and Clark could log plenty of time together in UCLA’s backcourt next season. Cronin said Clark was going to petition for an extra season of eligibility after having played in only 13 games as a freshman while his father was going through a series of health issues.

In the meantime, would Perry be in favor of playing in a three-guard lineup?

“I’m in favor,” he said, “of winning.”