UCLA Basketball Star on Watch List for Major Award

Support Local Media - Click to Add LA Sports Report as a Preferred Source on GoogleUCLA Bruins starting guard Trent Perry is expected to contend for a major award this season.Perry was selected to the watch list for the Jerry West Award, which honors the top collegiate shooting guard, the school said in a news release.Why is Trent Perry on the watch list for the Jerry West Award?Perry, a junior, is coming off a season in which he was a key contributor for the Bruins.He was third in minutes played, averaging just under 30 minutes per game, and averaged 12.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.9 steals per game.Mar 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Trent Perry (0) dribbles the ball against the UConn Huskies in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)He also shot 43.6% from the field, 39.2% from 3-point range and 85.8% from the free throw line.While those numbers are respectable, they are likely to increase this season.Perry will have even more responsibility and playing time this season after the departure of Donovan Dent, who retired after playing four seasons of college ball but decided instead to play for the LSU Tigers after being granted a final year of eligibility in a court ruling. Perry’s new opportunity led to him being named preseason All-Big Ten this year.He’ll face some stiff competition, though, including from a star for the crosstown rivals USC Trojans.Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans guard Alijah Arenas (0) drives to the basket past UCLA Bruins guard Donovan Dent (2) and forward Tyler Bilodeau (34) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn ImagesAlijah Arenas, a sophomore who’s also the son of former NBA player Gilbert Arenas, is also on the watch list for the Jerry West Award.When will the winner of the Jerry West Award be announced?The Jerry West Award, which is given out by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and West’s family, includes fan voting that begins on Oct. 30.By February, the watch list narrows to 20 players. View this post on Instagram A post shared by LA Sports Report (@lasportsreport)In March, the list gets reduced to 10 names, then five finalists, who are presented to the West family and the Hall of Fame toward the end of that month.The exact date of when the award winner will be announced has not yet been revealed.Do you think Trent Perry will be one of the finalists for the Jerry West Award this season?The post UCLA Basketball Star on Watch List for Major Award appeared first on LA Sports Report.