PHILADELPHIA — Skyy Clark revealed a smile with a visible gap and stated there was just one appropriate spot for the fragment of his upper front tooth that came off amidst UCLA’s NCAA tournament triumph against UCF.
Beneath his pillow, naturally.
It was uncertain what Clark might discover there come morning, yet, should anyone in the vicinity of Philadelphia possess the contact of a dental surgeon, the Bruins’ guard would readily accept it.
Following UCLA’s 75-71 victory over UCF in the locker room, a triumph Clark clinched after shrugging off intense discomfort to successfully make a free throw, Clark indicated his pain level was approximately a nine out of ten.
“It certainly was painful,” he commented. “I’m speaking with a slight lisp now.”
Clark, in fact, articulated words distinctively — his teammate Eric Dailey Jr. drew a parallel between him and the pugilist Mike Tyson — following the occurrence.
Coach Mick Cronin remarked, “He appeared quite impressive in the changing room. Resembles a fighter. I’m continually attempting to share tales of my past with these fellows. He simply exuded resilience. Appears formidable. Within the changing room, a smile. There’s blood.”
Clark’s tooth was dislodged toward the end of the match as he plunged for an unpossessed ball and received an elbow to his visage from a UCF opponent. The dental fragment propelled through the air, and UCLA personnel rapidly searched to locate it.
Jack Seidler, a UCLA walk-on player, retrieved the tooth.
Seidler’s contribution to the Bruins squad is straightforward: “I will perform whatever task they request. Anything that benefits the group.”
In this specific case, Seidler, despite not participating in the game, provided the most crucial assist of the evening.
Seidler recounted his teammates and other staff members shouting, “Someone must retrieve it, someone must retrieve it,” as Clark rose from the playing surface.
Seidler successfully recovered it. He mentioned his mobile device was inundated with social media updates and private communications concerning his fleeting renown.
He attributed full recognition to Clark for remaining in the match and assisting the Bruins in repelling a late surge from UCF.
Seidler stated, “That exemplifies true resilience. To lose half a tooth and then re-enter the contest to aid us in securing victory.”
Regarding the free throw, Clark explained it was simply an integral aspect of the competition.
He remarked, “My adrenaline was pumping, so I genuinely didn’t perceive the pain.”
Proceeding to the next stage, Cronin expressed a desire for all players to possess their complete set of teeth when the Bruins compete this Sunday against either UConn or Furman.
Cronin articulated, “[We] require — what’s the term? The dental provisions. A dental surgeon.” He added, “We certainly need a late-night dental surgeon.”