WATCH: UCLA guard Skyy Clark looks to clean up foul issues
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin has been frustrated, at times, with his players’ inability to defend without fouling. Guard Skyy Clark, now in his second season with the program, is among those he’s specifically called out.
Most recently, Clark picked up his third foul less than four minutes into the second half of last Saturday’s 74-63 win over Oregon. Clark did not pick up another foul and while the Bruins held off the Ducks after they cut the deficit to five points following the foul, he knows it’s an issue that needs to be addressed.
Since Nov. 14, it marked the fifth time Clark has picked up at least three fouls. He’s had one game with four and another he was disqualified from in that span.
Prior to Thursday’s practice, the team’s top on-ball defender said he is guilty of being overzealous when certain situations do not require him to be.
“Yeah, I think it’s really all mental. I just get so hyped up sometimes playing defense that I’ll try to be too aggressive and it will be a constant mistake,” Clark said. “So, I think, just being more mentally focused in that aspect and being smarter of the situation will keep me out of some foul trouble.”
Another meeting with Gonzaga
When Clark has been able to stay on the floor, his hot outside shooting has come through in recent games.
Over the past two games, the senior is 9-of-13 on 3-point attempts. A 5-of-5 first half at Washington ignited the stellar touch.
When UCLA travels to Seattle to play Gonzaga on Saturday night, Clark will look to continue that trend in addition to his strong all-around play against the Bulldogs. Last December, his 11 points, nine rebounds and seven assists were a major difference in the Bruins’ 65-62 neutral-site win at Intuit Dome.
“It’s a great feeling knowing your teammates trust you to shoot the ball like that,” Clark said of scoring. “Yeah, nah, it’s just one of those things where it happens and then, as you kind of knock down some shots, some other opportunities open up and that’s just how the game of basketball works sometimes.”
Watch his full press conference below:
