UCLA’s backcourt should bring plenty of offensive punch in 2026-27, but one question still hangs over the roster: who is the Bruins’ best threat from three-point range?
Trent Perry and Jaylen Petty are expected to handle major roles, which gives UCLA no shortage of players who can create their own shot. Even so, the most reliable answer from beyond the arc is still unsettled.
On paper, Petty has the clearest path to that job. He arrives in Westwood after one season at Texas Tech, where he knocked down 37.5% of his three-point tries. Among players with at least 30 attempts, that mark sits roughly in the 76th percentile nationally, according to CBB Analytics.
The catch is that Petty’s shooting came with swings. He had nights where everything was falling and others where the lid seemed to snap shut. One game might feature him drilling 70% of his threes, and the next could dip below 30%.
His NCAA Tournament run showed both sides. In Texas Tech’s opening game against Akron, Petty finished 5-for-7 from deep, good for 71.4%. Then, in the Red Raiders’ second-round loss to Alabama, he went 0-for-5.
Role matters here, too. Last season, Petty spent much of his time coming off the bench. This year, he is expected to start for UCLA, which could help him settle in earlier and find a better rhythm.
He also wasn’t asked to carry the offense at Texas Tech. A lot of his production came later in the year, once he became more comfortable and settled into his place in the rotation.
Gunars Grinvalds and Nikola Kusturica are also expected to chip in from long range, but Petty looks like the best bet to become UCLA’s main shooter from deep.
If he can keep the stroke that made him effective at Texas Tech and smooth out the inconsistency, the Bruins could have a real weapon waiting on the perimeter.
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