The No. 2 ranked UCLA Bruins appears to be one of the most dangerous teams set to be in the NCAA Tournament later this month. However, they received some horrible injury news on an impact player on Wednesday which could hinder them greatly in the tournament.
Junior guard Jaylen Clark has been the team’s second-leading scorer for the Bruins, scoring 13 points per game on the year. He is also an elite defender, sitting seventh in Division 1 college basketball in steals at 2.6 per game. It seems like he will not be available for either the Pac-12 Tournament or the NCAA Tournament.
According to Jeff Goodman of The Athletic, Clark will be out for the rest of the season due to an Achilles injury.
BREAKING: UCLA’s Jaylen Clark is out for the rest of the season with an Achilles injury, source told @Stadium.
Brutal blow to the Bruins hopes of going deep in the NCAA tourney.
Clark is arguably the best defender in the country, also emerged as a solid third scoring option.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 8, 2023
This couldn’t have come at a worse time for UCLA with the Bruins currently riding a ten-game winning streak.
Many around the college basketball world realize how devastating this news is for the team, and offered their take on how this will affect them moving forward.
Oh wow. This is big. https://t.co/P5JjEB6PYX
— Troy Machir (@TroyMachir) March 8, 2023
I don’t think UCLA has a chance to win the whole thing anymore. Jaylen Clark was too important. https://t.co/HodCv8mc2O
— Sean Paul (@SeanPaulCBB) March 8, 2023
I am unwell https://t.co/FdJz6RY9Fn
— Brian Witt (@Wittnessed) March 8, 2023
Really tough news to hear for Jaylen Clark. Prayers for a speedy and healthy recovery! https://t.co/y5JBsMxN1f
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) March 8, 2023
UCLA Fans right now pic.twitter.com/ujlp6TiqJ2 https://t.co/ZOe7yi5F30
— Mark Titus Show (@MarkTitusShow) March 8, 2023
— Josh Newman (@Joshua_Newman) March 8, 2023
UCLA is still obviously an extremely talented team, led by Senior guard Jaime Jaquez who has a ton of experience in the NCAA Tournament. However, this loss very well may cap their upside to potentially win the entire tournament.
We will get a sneak peek of how this team plays without Clark on Thursday when the Bruins face off against the winner of Wednesday’s game in the PAC 12 Tournament between Washington and Colorado.
