WATCH: UCLA guard Skyy Clark discusses pursuit of extra year (WITH TRANSCRIPT)

UCLA guard Skyy Clark offered his first comments on his pursuit of an extra year of eligibility ahead of the start of Friday’s practice.

In late January, head coach Mick Cronin said Clark’s petition was in relation to appearing in just 13 games as a freshman at Illinois during the 2022-23 season. The threshold to preserve a redshirt year is 12 games, Cronin said.

Clark is wrapping up his fourth season and second at UCLA since transferring from Louisville after the 2023-24 campaign. He took part in the Bruins’ senior night festivities prior to Tuesday’s win over ninth-ranked Nebraska.

Before the Bruins started preparations for Saturday’s regular-season finale at crosstown rival USC, Clark said “it would definitely mean a lot” if the NCAA grants his request in the offseason.

“Just coming back, getting another year to develop and everything,” Clark said of the possibility. “Yeah, so we’ll see what happens.

Full Skyy Clark press conference

Watch the video below, including Clark’s thoughts on the team’s up-and-down season defensively and the differences from last year, the play of point guard Donovan Dent, and more:

Full transcript

What’s different with the scout without Baker-Mazara?

“Same thing last game, just minus a player.”

What went into the request for an additional year of eligibility, and what would it mean for you to get it?

“I mean, it would definitely mean a lot just coming back, getting another year to develop and everything and yeah, so we’ll see what happens.”

How has the team grown since the Michigan trip?

“I think it’s been the same all year. We have a common goal, and that’s to go as far in March Madness as we can and we have some seniors this year that its their last year, and we don’t want them to end off on bad notes. So I think it’s been amazing how the teams come together.”

Have you seen that reflected on the court?

“Yeah, for sure. We had a game that we dropped not too long ago, but I think the way we responded was major for sure.”

Talk about the team’s resilience.

“That shows the character of our guys. We got dudes that want to win and dudes that want to go far in the tournament. So I think that game that we just played, it was a testament to that.”

Have you noticed Mick tweak anything defensively?

“The way we played defense last year wasn’t the same, where we’re kind of forcing everybody baseline. We didn’t really harp on that as much last year. So I think that was the biggest change. And then add in the two-three as well.”

How have you taken it upon yourself to catalyze the whole defense?

“I just try to give my all every possession. I’m not perfect, but I know that if I can help my team, this is one of the best ways to do it, for sure.”

Talk about Dent, what have you learned from him?

“Yeah, I’ve learned a lot. I mean, that’s like, dang near impossible to do, especially with how much he has the ball in his hands. But I mean, I have talked about Donovan since he committed here, like he’s best point guard in America, so not surprised.

Do you think you have become better because you are his teammate?

“Yeah, for sure, he kind of makes my job easier. He just gets me the ball where I need it, exactly where I need it to get a good shot off. So it makes my life a lot easier.”

How do you think Donovan has balanced when to be aggressive and when to facilitate?

“Yeah, I mean, we always want him to score, because he can do that really well. But, he just reads the defense, whatever read they give him, he makes the right read 99.9% of the time.”

Reviewing the Nebraska film, what did the coaching staff like?

“They were just happy to see that we were fighting. Everyone looked locked in. Everybody was in a stance. I mean, we were getting deflections. We were talking on defense. And as a coach, I mean, there’s not much you can ask for.”

What was the difference in defensive execution compared to the Minnesota game?

“Time zone.”

[LAUGHTER]

“Nah, we just got to come in to the away games. You know, we’re away from our crowd and everything. So we have to find that energy from ourselves. And I think if we take that into this next USC game, the Big 10 tournament, and March Madness, we can do some real damage.”

Is the time zone change a mental thing?

“Yeah, it must be. But, like I said, we just got to find that energy within ourselves and just stay focused, stay locked in, get the win.”

Have you talked to Trent about the hate comments he received?

“Yeah, I mean, that’s just part of the game. There’s a lot of crazy fans out there, a lot of loving ones too. But you know, we had his back, and we told him it’s just one game, it’s in the past, and he came back and bounced back real quick.”

Talk about Eric and his effect on the team as a leader.

“Yeah, E-Dai has been a big piece for us, the last two years, especially this year, he’s really like our vocal piece, and that kind of gets us going with the energy and everything, and so just having him on the team, it’s infectious, for sure.”

Keys to closing out season?

“Get the win that plain and simple. Just finish off the season strong.”