PHILADELPHIA — Trent Perry commenced a celebratory dance after sinking a step-back 3-pointer over a workforce supervisor.
Setting up in a single nook and taking one go after one other in the course of the casual capturing session on the eve of the NCAA Tournament, the UCLA guard made most of his 3-pointers. His mouth hung agape in shock when one rattled out of the rim.
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It appears that the Bruins’ breakthrough star can do just about something he needs nowadays.
UCLA’s Trent Perry (0) has made probably the most of his alternative to play in a three-guard lineup. IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters Connect
Perry’s emergence as a part of a three-guard beginning lineup has elevated his workforce into a trendy choose to outperform its seed within the coming weeks. First issues first for seventh-seeded UCLA, which plays 10th-seeded UCF within the first spherical on Friday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
“This is a special stage,” Perry advised The California Post on Thursday afternoon whereas sitting in entrance of his locker, “and dreams can come true.”
The tremendous sophomore would possibly really feel like he’s already in the course of one given his current rise.
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A midseason harm alternative for Skyy Clark within the beginning lineup, Perry erupted for 30 factors towards Penn State every week later and hasn’t slowed down since Clark returned final month.
When level guard Donovan Dent went down with a calf injury towards Purdue within the Big Ten Tournament, Perry took over working the workforce and completed with 9 assists in a near-upset of the Boilermakers.
“Basketball is basketball,” Perry mentioned, “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 capability to make 3-pointers and clutch free throws whereas additionally attending to the rim and discovering open teammates has made him one of the vital indispensable Bruins.
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He’s turn into the workforce’s third-leading scorer, averaging 12.7 factors per recreation, whereas additionally making 41.2% of his 3-pointers. Don’t make the error of sending him to the foul line late in video games. Without a lot as one jangled nerve, Perry made all six free throws within the remaining 36 seconds final week to assist his workforce maintain off Michigan State within the Big Ten Tournament.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” mentioned 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 turn into the workforce’s third-leading scorer this season, averaging 12.7 factors per recreation. AP
His remaining within the beginning lineup upon Clark’s return final month has helped with spacing for shooters whereas additionally opening driving lanes and quickening the Bruins’ tempo. Once preventing for inclusion within the NCAA Tournament, UCLA (23-11) broke freed from bubble bother with six wins in its final eight video games.
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Perry is the most recent in an extended line of gamers who’ve developed into NBA prospects below Cronin and his employees. Cronin mentioned Perry’s willingness to simply accept teaching has accelerated his enchancment.
“I give him all the credit because the coaching works more for guys with the right attitude,” Cronin mentioned. “Some guys, you can coach them for 20 years and they would be the same player.”
Perry’s rise from a participant averaging 3.7 factors as a freshman to somebody able to carrying a workforce has prompted his coach to foyer for his return subsequent season. Cronin has talked about how a lot he needs Perry to return again for greater than a month now.
While there will likely be loads of components that go into Perry’s choice — together with how steep of an increase he would possibly command in NIL compensation — the Bruins seem like in place to retain him.
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“I know Trent loves UCLA, he loves his teammates,” Rebibo mentioned. “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 school basketball’s largest stage.
Growing up, Perry mentioned he used to examine creating his personal one shining second within the NCAA Tournament, taking the shot that could win a recreation within the remaining seconds.
“Of course,” he mentioned, “and if you miss the shot, you’ve got to add some time.”
Time, like the whole lot else, appears to be on his facet, loads of March moments to return.
