Gary Clark
Clark with Capitanes de Ciudad de México in 2021
No. 8 – Illawarra Hawks
PositionPower forward
LeagueNBL
Personal information
Born (1994-11-16) November 16, 1994
Smithfield, North Carolina, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High schoolClayton (Clayton, North Carolina)
CollegeCincinnati (2014–2018)
NBA draft2018: undrafted
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–2020Houston Rockets
2019→Rio Grande Valley Vipers
2020–2021Orlando Magic
2021Denver Nuggets
2021Philadelphia 76ers
2021Capitanes de Ciudad de México
2021–2022New Orleans Pelicans
2022–2023Capitanes de Ciudad de México
2023–presentIllawarra Hawks
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
FIBA AmeriCup
Bronze medal – third place2022 Brazil

Gary Clark Jr. (born November 16, 1994) is an American professional basketball player for the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the Cincinnati Bearcats where he was named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year for the 2017–18 season. He made his NBA debut in 2018 and played in four straight seasons across multiple teams, including the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, and New Orleans Pelicans.

High school career

Clark, a 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) power forward, played basketball at Clayton High School in Clayton, North Carolina, where he left as the school's all-time leading scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker. He is also the only North Carolina high school player to record a quadruple-double.[1] Clark was ranked as the No. 100 overall prospect by ESPN, No. 87 by Rivals and No. 90 by 247sports. He committed to Cincinnati on September 18, 2013 after receiving a scholarship offer from NC State.[2]

College career

Clark made an immediate impact for Cincinnati, entering the starting lineup from day one and becoming the first freshman to start a season opener for the program since Lance Stephenson. At the close of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) season, he was named to the league's all-rookie team.[3] Clark posted 7.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 1.3 blocks per game as a freshman.[2]

In his sophomore season, Clark developed into one of the top defensive players in the AAC. After averaging 10.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, he was named second-team All-AAC and the conference Defensive Player of the Year.[4] Prior to his junior year, Clark was named to the preseason All-AAC first team.[5] He averaged 10.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game as a junior.[6]

At the close of his senior season, Clark was named AAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 12.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. Clark led Cincinnati to an AAC regular season title.[7] He was the AAC tournament Most Outstanding Player after averaging 16.3 points and 11.7 rebounds in the conference tournament. Clark hit a game-winning free throw with four seconds in regulation to secure a 56–55 victory for the Bearcats in the title game.[2]

Professional career

Houston Rockets (2018–2020)

After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Clark signed a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets on July 5, 2018.[8][9] On December 6, 2018, his contract was converted to a standard NBA contract.[9] During the 2018–19 season, he appeared in 51 regular season games and two playoff games for the Rockets.[10] He also played 10 games with the Rockets' NBA G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.[11]

After playing for the Rockets in the 2019 NBA Summer League, Clark re-joined the team for the 2019–20 season.[11] In November 2019, he had three stints in the G League with the Vipers.[11] On January 7, 2020, he was waived by the Rockets.[12]

Orlando Magic (2020–2021)

On January 14, 2020, Clark signed a 10-day contract with the Orlando Magic.[13] He signed a second 10-day contract on January 29,[14] and a rest-of-season contract on February 8.[15]

On November 23, 2020, Clark re-signed with the Magic.[16]

Denver Nuggets (2021)

On March 25, 2021, Clark and Aaron Gordon were traded to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Gary Harris, R. J. Hampton and a future first round pick.[17] On April 9, he was waived after making two appearances.[18]

Philadelphia 76ers (2021)

On May 11, 2021, Clark signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.[19]

Capitanes de Ciudad de México (2021)

In November 2021, Clark joined the Capitanes de Ciudad de México of the NBA G League.[20] In eight games to start the 2021–22 season, he averaged 14.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 31.3 minutes per contest.[21]

New Orleans Pelicans (2021–2022)

On December 3, 2021, Clark signed with the New Orleans Pelicans, becoming the first Capitanes' player ever to receive an NBA call-up.[21] On January 7, 2022, he was waived by the Pelicans.[22] Two days later, he re-signed with the Pelicans on a two-way contract.[23]

Return to Capitanes de Ciudad de México (2022–2023)

In November 2022, Clark re-joined the Capitanes de Ciudad de México for the 2022–23 NBA G League season.[24]

Illawarra Hawks (2023–present)

On June 24, 2023, Clark signed with the Illawarra Hawks in Australia for the 2023–24 NBL season.[25]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Houston 51212.6.331.2971.0002.3.4.4.52.9
2019–20 Houston 18011.8.390.353.8572.2.7.1.43.9
2019–20 Orlando 24514.8.419.3501.0002.9.2.2.63.6
2020–21 Orlando 351118.2.305.287.8003.2.9.3.23.4
2020–21 Denver 202.0–––.5.0.0.00.0
2020–21 Philadelphia 206.5.000.000–1.0.5.5.00.0
2021–22 New Orleans 3819.9.375.400.7002.4.5.3.22.7
Career 1701913.2.351.326.8382.5.5.3.43.1

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019 Houston 202.0–––.5.0.0.0.0
2020 Orlando 5528.8.333.344.8005.61.41.0.47.4
Career 7521.1.333.344.8004.11.0.7.35.3

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014–15 Cincinnati 343427.8.524.000.6257.21.71.01.37.8
2015–16 Cincinnati 333230.4.519.520.6878.82.11.21.510.4
2016–17 Cincinnati 363528.6.529.286.6977.92.11.01.210.8
2017–18 Cincinnati 363628.5.526.435.7418.72.11.41.212.9
Career 13913728.8.525.383.6988.12.01.21.310.5

References

  1. ↑ Potter, Mike (November 3, 2014). "Freshman and Clayton native Gary Clark is already turning heads at Cincinnati". The News & Observer. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Szelest, Jason (March 21, 2018). "Gary Clark: The problem that will never be forgotten". The News Record. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  3. ↑ Abner, Josh (March 24, 2015). "Clayton native Gary Clark's way is the Cincinnati Bearcat way". The News & Observer. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  4. ↑ Rauch, Jeremy (March 6, 2016). "UC's Gary Clark named AAC Defensive Player of the Year". Raycom Media. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  5. ↑ Groeschen, Tom (October 24, 2016). "UC's Caupain named AAC preseason Co-Player of Year". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  6. ↑ Nguyen, Thuc (November 7, 2017). "UCLA basketball: 5 games to watch". The Press-Enterprise. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  7. ↑ Groeschen, Tom (March 7, 2018). "UC Bearcats' Gary Clark named AAC basketball Player of the Year". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Rockets sign rookies Gary Clark and Vincent Edwards and waive Aaron Jackson". InsideHoops.com. July 5, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Rockets Announce Roster Updates". NBA.com. December 6, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Gary Clark 2018-19 Game Log". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 "Gary Clark". realgm.com. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Rockets Waive Gary Clark". NBA.com. January 7, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Magic Sign Gary Clark to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Magic Sign Gary Clark to Second 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. January 29, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Magic Sign Gary Clark for Remainder of Season". NBA.com. February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Orlando Magic Re-Sign Gary Clark". NBA.com. November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Denver Nuggets acquire Aaron Gordon and Gary Clark from Orlando Magic". NBA.com. March 25, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Denver Nuggets sign guard Shaquille Harrison to two-way contract". NBA.com. April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  19. ↑ "76ers Sign Gary Clark to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Mexico City Capitanes announce opening night roster for 2021–22 season". NBA.com. November 5, 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  21. 1 2 "Pelicans sign Gary Clark". NBA.com. December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Pelicans waive Gary Clark". NBA.com. January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Pelicans sign Gary Clark to two-way contract". NBA.com. January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Capitanes de Ciudad de México roster 2022-23". November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Hawks Swoop on Import Forward Gary Clark". Hawks.com.au. June 24, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
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