The UCLA Bruins will be without guard Jaylen Clark in the 2023 PAC-12 Tournament according to Head Coach Mick Cronin. Clark suffered a lower leg injury against the Arizona Wildcats to close the regular season and was doubtful for the 2023 PAC-12 Tournament. UCLA won that game 82-73 despite losing the star guard. Clark was named the PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year and is a key rotational player for the program. There is no word on his status beyond this week. The Bruins are the one seed in the 2023 PAC-12 Tournament and will play the winner between the Washington Huskies and Colorado Buffaloes.
From @UCLAMBB : @pac12 Defensive player of the year Jaylen Clark has a lower right leg injury and won’t travel to Las Vegas for the Pac-12 tournament.
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) March 7, 2023
This season as a junior for the UCLA Bruins, Jaylen Clark has averaged 13.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. He has paired those numbers with a field goal percentage of 48.1 percent and a three-point percentage of 32.9 percent. The Bruins could struggle in the 2023 PAC-12 Tournament without their best defender and offensive options.
The UCLA Bruins are still in line for a one-seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament and at worst will be a two-seed in March. A PAC-12 Championship could help seal the team’s spot as a one-seed on Selection Sunday. We here at Def Pen Sports wish Jaylen Clark the best in his recovery and hopeful return to the court this season.
