UCLA defeated Central Florida 75-71 in a first-round game of the men's NCAA Division I basketball tournament on March 20, 2026, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[1][2]
Late in the second half, Bruins senior guard Skyy Clark, a California native, caught a stray elbow from UCF forward Themus Fulks as both players dove for a loose ball, chipping half of one of Clark's front teeth.[1][2]
The incident was captured on the CBS broadcast. Clark received treatment from team medical staff but returned to the game.[1] UCLA walk-on guard Jack Seidler retrieved the tooth fragment from the court.[1]
Clark, who entered the 2023-24 season at UCLA after transferring from Louisville, finished the game and made a free throw with seconds left to help secure the victory.[1][3] Over his collegiate career through the 2025-26 season, Clark averaged 10.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game.[1]
"It definitely hurt," Clark said postgame. "I have a little lisp going on."[1] UCLA head coach Mick Cronin praised Clark's resilience: "He looked so good in the locker room... Looks like a boxer... There’s blood."[1]
UCLA, seeded in the East Region, advanced to the second round to face the winner of another first-round matchup.[2]
Sources
- Fox News Digital
" UCLA guard Skyy Clark has a new smile he’s showing off after the Bruins’ 75-71 victory over UCF "
March 21, 2026
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/ucla-skyy-clark-tooth-ncaa-tournament-ucf - Associated Press
NCAA Tournament first-round coverage (photo and report)
March 20, 2026
https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-basketball-ucla-ucf-march-madness-2026 - UCLA Athletics
Skyy Clark player profile
Accessed March 21, 2026
https://uclabruins.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/skyy-clark/12235
