NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing Terrence Clarke’s final six

UCLA Bruins

UCLA is well-known as one of the most storied programs in all of college basketball. While the program has struggled a bit in recent years, the Bruins’ recruiting has always remained extremely strong. Looking ahead to the future of the program, newly hired head coach Mick Cronin looks poised to lead a resurgence. Coach Cronin is fresh off an incredible stretch of seasons as Cincinnati’s leader and he has already shown his recruiting prowess with the Bruins. UCLA has secured a top-tier commitment in the 2020 class with point guard Daishen Nix (No. 14) and Clarke would be another superb snag.

UCLA is always an alluring destination as a result of their prestige on the national stage. The Bruins boast tremendous history, a great geographical location, and plenty of potential for the future. Coach Cronin has been remarkably successful with under-the-radar recruits to this point in his career and it will be exciting to see what he can do with more resources and higher-rated prospects. UCLA offered a scholarship to Terrence Clarke back in mid-June and they have clearly maintained contact.

With that said, though, Kentucky is widely regarded as the favorite to win this recruiting battle. UCLA’s early commit could potentially make a difference as Nix would be a superb backcourt partner for Clarke, but it will be hard to lure the talented shooting guard out west. Clarke is originally from Massachusetts and UCLA is the only program on the list located near the west coast. That could be seen as a disadvantage as he would be far from home or a potential differentiator in the battle.