PHILADELPHIA — Trent Perry commenced a celebratory dance after sinking a step-back 3-pointer over a team manager.
Setting up in one corner and taking one pass after another during the informal shooting session on the eve of the NCAA Tournament, the UCLA guard made most of his 3-pointers. His mouth hung agape in surprise when one rattled out of the rim.
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It seems that the Bruins’ breakthrough star can do pretty much anything he wants these days.
UCLA’s Trent Perry (0) has made the most of his opportunity to play in a three-guard lineup. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Perry’s emergence as part of a three-guard starting lineup has elevated his team into a fashionable pick to outperform its seed in the coming weeks. First things first for seventh-seeded UCLA, which plays 10th-seeded UCF in the first round on Friday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
“This is a special stage,” Perry told The California Post on Thursday afternoon while sitting in front of his locker, “and dreams can come true.”
The super sophomore might feel like he’s already in the middle of one given his recent rise.
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A midseason injury replacement for Skyy Clark in the starting lineup, Perry erupted for 30 points against Penn State a week later and hasn’t slowed down since Clark returned last month.
When point guard Donovan Dent went down with a calf injury against Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament, Perry took over running the team and finished with nine assists in a near-upset of the Boilermakers.
“Basketball is basketball,” Perry said, “and especially with this team, whatever they need me to do — run the point, be the 2 guard — whatever it takes to win [I’ll do], and so it was pretty cool to be out there.”
Perry’s ability to make 3-pointers and clutch free throws while also getting to the rim and finding open teammates has made him one of the most indispensable Bruins.
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He’s become the team’s third-leading scorer, averaging 12.7 points per game, while also making 41.2% of his 3-pointers. Don’t make the mistake of sending him to the foul line late in games. Without so much as one jangled nerve, Perry made all six free throws in the final 36 seconds last week to help his team hold off Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” said David Rebibo, who coached Perry at Harvard-Westlake High. “It was never a matter of if, it was just a matter of when, and very similar to his high school career. Once it clicked, watch out, because he was gonna be special.”
UCLA guard Trent Perry (0) has become the team’s third-leading scorer this season, averaging 12.7 points per game. AP
His remaining in the starting lineup upon Clark’s return last month has helped with spacing for shooters while also opening driving lanes and quickening the Bruins’ pace. Once fighting for inclusion in the NCAA Tournament, UCLA (23-11) broke free of bubble trouble with six wins in its last eight games.
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Perry is the latest in a long line of players who have developed into NBA prospects under Cronin and his staff. Cronin said Perry’s willingness to accept coaching has accelerated his improvement.
“I give him all the credit because the coaching works more for guys with the right attitude,” Cronin said. “Some guys, you can coach them for 20 years and they would be the same player.”
Perry’s rise from a player averaging 3.7 points as a freshman to someone capable of carrying a team has prompted his coach to lobby for his return next season. Cronin has mentioned how much he wants Perry to come back for more than a month now.
While there will be plenty of factors that go into Perry’s decision — including how steep of a rise he might command in NIL compensation — the Bruins appear to be in a good position to retain him.
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“I know Trent loves UCLA, he loves his teammates,” Rebibo said. “He loves his coaches, and I know he’s really excited about the potential of making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. But I also know, listen, Mom and Dad live in LA, and, and I think being a Bruin is important to him, and winning is important to him, and all those things aligned — you know, I don’t know what the future holds, but I know he loves where he’s at, and I know he wants to win.”
Especially on college basketball’s biggest stage.
Growing up, Perry said he used to envision creating his own one shining moment in the NCAA Tournament, taking the shot that could win a game in the final seconds.
“Of course,” he said, “and if you miss the shot, you’ve got to add some time.”
Time, like everything else, seems to be on his side, plenty of March moments to come.
