UCLA's backcourt is set for a significant change as senior guard Skyy Clark has officially entered the Transfer Portal. The move, reported by On3's Joe Tipton, marks the latest chapter in a collegiate career that has seen Clark play for three different programs over the last five seasons.
The Los Angeles native began his journey at Illinois, transferred to Louisville for a year, and spent the last two seasons with the Bruins. This upcoming move will be his fourth program, meaning he will require an NCAA waiver to be eligible to play for the 2026-27 season. Clark confirmed in March that he had already filed the necessary paperwork, telling reporters, "It would definitely mean a lot just coming back, getting another year to develop... we’ll see what happens."
His waiver case is expected to hinge on the circumstances of his freshman year at Illinois. Clark stepped away from the Illini team for personal reasons after 13 games during the 2022-23 season and did not return before transferring to Louisville.
Clark's most productive season came during that single year with the Cardinals under coach Kenny Payne. In the 2023-24 season, he posted career-best averages of 13.2 points and 3.0 assists per game. For his career, spanning 102 games and 97 starts, the 6'3" guard holds averages of 10.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals.
His two-year tenure at UCLA was marked by team success, as he helped lead Coach Mick Cronin's squad to a 47-23 record and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the Second Round both times. Clark was a consistent performer in March, scoring in double figures in three of UCLA's four Tournament games during that stretch, including an 18-point outing in a hard-fought Second Round loss to Tennessee last season.
The Bruins' 2025-26 campaign was a tale of resilience. After a tough late-February loss to Michigan State left their tournament hopes in doubt, UCLA rallied to win four of its final five regular-season games. The team carried that momentum into the Big Ten Tournament, securing key wins over Rutgers and an upset over No. 8 Michigan State before falling to eventual champion Purdue in the semifinals. This strong finish ultimately earned UCLA a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
As Clark seeks a new home, his proven scoring ability and tournament experience will make him an intriguing option for programs looking to bolster their backcourt. His next stop will be one to watch as the transfer portal continues to reshape the college basketball landscape.