Busting Brackets
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PAC-12 Basketball: Top 15 impact players from the 2020 recruiting class

By Trevor Sinodhinos

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: Singer Carnell Johnson performs the American national anthem before the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Huskies 68-48. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: Singer Carnell Johnson performs the American national anthem before the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Huskies 68-48. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 26: The UCLA Bruins bench (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 26: The UCLA Bruins bench (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

7. UCLA Bruins – Jaylen Clark

Finishing in second place and just one win behind the Oregon Ducks, UCLA Basketball was primed to make the national tournament and even make it through the first weekend of play. The Bruins’ 2019-20 roster included just two seniors Prince Ali (6.8 PPG) and Alex Olesinki (1.3 PPG) who were notable rotation players. In addition, leading scorer and Pac-12 Most Improved Player, Chris Smith (13.1 PPG) has declared for the NBA Draft and has been quoted as saying “I am 100% committed to the process…”  despite not being projected to be drafted.

While signs point to Smith returning to UCLA, his presence does not affect incoming freshman Jaylen Clark. Clark’s impact will be determined by how Coach Mike Cronin continues to run a three-guard offense night in and night out. At 6’5, 200 pounds, Clark is just 15 pounds lighter than Jaime Jaquez Jr who spent significant time as part of the three-guard offense.

Clark’s skills will make him just as dangerous, if not more so. While at Etiwanda High School, Clark was more of a facilitator to his teammates scoring than his own. Although, if given room, he will score. His on-court demeanor is not one of a team leader but he was usually the best player on the court.

Coach Cronin had UCLA set up a lot in a high 1-4 offense, which would end up in an overload once the mismatch was identified. Jalen Terry is not at a level of BJ Boston or Ziaire Willimas, but he will attack the rim and go at bigger players at any of the three-guard spots. A versatility that Coach Cronin can utilize to maximize his impact.

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