This post was updated April 12 at 11:42 p.m.

The backcourt strengthens.

Texas Tech guard Jaylen Petty announced his commitment to UCLA men’s basketball on his Instagram account Sunday night.

One door closed Tuesday when senior guard Skyy Clark shared that he would enter the transfer portal, despite applying for a fifth year of eligibility with the UCLA coaching staff and signs indicating a return to Westwood for the Los Angeles local.

But another door opened Sunday night with the addition of Petty.

Petty appeared in all 33 games for the Red Raiders this season, starting in 22 and averaging 30.5 minutes per game, giving the true freshman a significant amount of experience at the Power Four level. 

The Seattle local averaged 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game across the 2025-26 campaign, while shooting 40.6% from the field and an ultra-efficient 37.5% from beyond the arc.

While Petty is an undersized guard at 6-foot-1 and 168 pounds, he is an elite shooter who uses a non-traditional shooting form – rising high and kicking his legs – along with quick-twitch maneuvers to open up shooting space in the offensive halfcourt.

Concerns of Petty’s size may emerge as he joins the Big Ten – a conference known for bigger bodies and more physical play – but his size did not appear to mitigate his effectiveness in the Big 12, a conference many consider to be one of the best in college basketball.

Petty will likely join sophomore guard Trent Perry in the starting backcourt, giving the Bruins elite shooters at both the point and shooting guard positions.

The former Texas Tech guard hit his stride late in the season, settling into a larger offensive role after star forward JT Toppin went down with a season-ending injury, averaging 12.9 points across his last eight games, including 24 points against No. 12 seed Akron in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Petty plays more of a two-guard role, making his money beyond the arc – attempting 5.6 3-pointers per game – and should complement Perry in the backcourt while serving as a formidable replacement to Clark, one of the Bruins’ most prolific shooters this season.

Petty’s addition is also imperative because of senior guard Donovan Dent’s departure – who averaged 13.3 points and 7.6 assists per game this season.

While Petty averaged just 2.2 assists per game, he has the court vision and basketball IQ to find open shooters on the wings and bigs underneath for easy baskets.

His speed and agility give UCLA a player who can push the basketball in transition, while also fortifying the defensive pressure in full or half-court defensive sets.

Petty is also no stranger to big games. In addition to his 24 points in the Round of 64, the guard dropped 20 points against then-No. 7 Houston on Jan. 6, 18 on then-No. 6 Houston on Jan. 24 and 17 against TCU on March 3.

Across those games, Petty knocked in a combined 19 3-pointers on just 29 attempts from beyond the arc – showcasing his ability to take over the game from deep.

Petty becomes the third player to join UCLA from the transfer portal – joining Auburn forward Filip Jovic and Mississippi State forward Sergej Macura.

[Related: UCLA men’s basketball gains 2 new transfers as Cronin tries to bolster reserves]

While Petty looks to be a high-profile addition to the Bruin roster, coach Mick Cronin and his coaching staff may not be done.

As the transfer portal progresses, UCLA will likely add more players, particularly with the graduation of eight athletes from this season’s roster.