Jaylen Clark

Last updated

Jaylen Clark
Jaylen Clark defending Justin Moore.jpg
Clark with UCLA in 2021
No. 0–Minnesota Timberwolves
Position Shooting guard
League NBA
Personal information
Born (2001-10-13) October 13, 2001 (age 22)
Riverside, California, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school
College UCLA (2020–2023)
NBA draft 2023: 2nd round, 53rd overall pick
Selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves
Playing career2023–present
Career history
2023–present Minnesota Timberwolves
2023–present→Iowa Wolves
Career highlights and awards
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at Basketball-Reference.com

Jaylen Bryce Clark [1] (born October 13, 2001 [2] [3] ) is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins of the Pac-12 Conference, earning national honors as both the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and NABC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior in 2023, when he was also voted the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. A two-time Pac-12 All-Defensive Team selection, Clark was named second-team All-Pac-12 as well that year. He was selected by the Timberwolves in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft.

Contents

Early life and high school career

Clark was born in Riverside, California. [1] His father, who played one season of basketball at Modesto Junior College, was a tough defender. [4] Clark attended Centennial High School in Corona for three years before transferring to Etiwanda High in Rancho Cucamonga for his senior year. [5] [6] Under Etiwanda coach David Kleckner, a defensive specialist, he developed into a two-way player who played unselfishly. [7] [8] Clark averaged 18.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game at Etiwanda, and led the Eagles to the CIF Southern Section Open Division regional finals. [1] [9] He signed a national letter of intent to play with UCLA in 2020. [10]

College career

In his freshman year at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2020–21, Clark was a reserve and averaged 2.5 points and 2.4 rebounds in nine minutes per game for the Bruins. [11] He made the game-winning free throw in an 80–79 win over Arizona State at home in Pauley Pavilion. [11] [12] In the 2021 NCAA tournament, UCLA unexpectedly advanced to the Final Four. [13] Clark helped lead a 14-point comeback in the First Four with a layup, a pair of assists, and an offensive rebound in an 86–80 overtime win over Michigan State. [13] [14] He had a season-high nine rebounds in 18 minutes in an overtime victory over second-seeded Alabama in the Sweet Sixteen. [1] [11] [15]

As a sophomore in 2021–22, Clark missed six games in January and February due to multiple concussions. Playing off the bench, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. [16] He averaged 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in 18.1 minutes per game. [17] [18] In the nine games in which he played 20 or more minutes, Clark averaged 11.4 points and 5.6 rebounds. [19] In February, during a three-game span versus Washington State, Washington, and Arizona State, he averaged 19.7 points, making 3 of 8 on 3-pointers, and added 8.3 rebounds and 2.7 steals. [4] [16] According to UCLA head coach Mick Cronin, "With consistent minutes, you’re going to see him produce a lot more on the offensive end". [16]

Clark became a full-time starter in his junior year in 2022–23 after Johnny Juzang and Jules Bernard departed. [18] [20] In the Bruins' season opener, he scored 17 points on 7-of-7 shooting and had seven steals in a win over Sacramento State. [21] In the regular season finale against Arizona, he suffered a right Achilles tendon rupture and was ruled out for the 2023 Pac-12 tournament. [17] [22] The top-seeded Bruins advanced to the tournament finals, before losing 61–59 to No. 2-seed Arizona. [23] UCLA, who was vying for a No. 1 seed in the 2023 NCAA tournament, [23] received a No. 2 seed in the West Region, but Clark was ruled out for the season. [24] He underwent surgery three days after the injury. [25] The Bruins lost in the Sweet Sixteen to Gonzaga, with an injured Adem Bona also missing the game for UCLA. [26] Clark averaged 2.6 steals per game during the season, which led the Pac-12 and ranked fourth in the nation. [15] [27] One of the top defensive players in the country, [28] he won the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award, and the National Association of Basketball Coaches named him their defensive player of the year. [15] Voted the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, [27] he was selected again to the conference's all-defensive team, and was also named second-team All-Pac-12. [29] Clark significantly improved on offense and became UCLA's second-leading scorer. [20] [27] He nearly doubled his scoring from the previous season, [28] averaging 13.0 points, six rebounds and 1.9 assists in 30.5 minutes over 30 games. [20] [27] After the season, he declared for the NBA draft. The timetable for his recovery was estimated to be 8–10 months. [15] [25]

Professional career

Minnesota Timberwolves (2023–present)

Clark was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft with the 53rd overall pick. [30] On July 7, 2023, he signed a two-way contract with the Timberwolves, [31] and aimed to return to play around the middle or late in the season. [32] On March 28, 2024, he was transferred to the Iowa Wolves of the G League for rehab. [33]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames 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

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2020–21 UCLA 3109.0.500.200.7502.4.2.1.22.5
2021–22 UCLA 29618.1.506.259.5423.81.01.1.26.7
2022–23 UCLA 302930.5.481.329.6986.01.92.6.313.0
Career903519.1.490.302.6614.11.01.3.27.4

Source: [34]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010–11 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2010–11 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bruins were led by head coach Ben Howland and played their home games at Pauley Pavilion. They finished the conference season in second place (13–5), and were a 2-seed at the 2011 Pacific-10 Conference men's basketball tournament, where they lost to 7-seed Oregon in the quarterfinals. They received an at-large bid in the 2011 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament as the #7 seeded team in the Southeast Region, where they defeated #10 seed Michigan State before falling to #2 seed Florida in the third round. They finished the season 23–11.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011–12 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2011–12 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2011–12 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bruins competed in the Pac-12 Conference and were led by head coach Ben Howland. The team ended the season with a 19–14 record and did not participate in the NCAA National Championship tournament or the NIT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Holiday</span> American basketball player (born 1996)

Aaron Shawn Holiday is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The guard played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, where he earned All-American recognition. He was selected by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2018 NBA draft with the 23rd overall pick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Welsh (basketball)</span> American basketball player

Thomas Welsh is an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. As a senior in 2017–18, Welsh earned second-team all-conference honors in the Pac-12. He was selected by the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the 2018 NBA draft with the 58th overall pick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016–17 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2016–17 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bruins were led by fourth-year head coach Steve Alford and played their home games at Pauley Pavilion as members in the Pac-12 Conference. They rode their offense to a 28–3 regular season record, averaging 91 points per game with a 53 percent field goal percentage. The talented squad featured five future players in the National Basketball Association (NBA), including three eventual first-round draft picks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017–18 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2017–18 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bruins were led by fifth-year head coach Steve Alford and played their home games at Pauley Pavilion as members in the Pac-12 Conference. They finished the season 21–12, 11–7 in Pac-12 play to finish in a three-way tie for third place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaylen Hands</span> American basketball player (born 1999)

Jaylen Joseph Hands is an American professional basketball player for Palencia of the Spanish Liga ACB. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. As a high school senior in 2017, he was selected to play in the McDonald's All-American Game, and was ranked as a consensus five-star prospect and the No. 3 point guard in the country in the class of 2017 by all major scouting services, including ESPN and 247Sports. Hands earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors in his sophomore year with UCLA in 2019. He was selected in the second round of the 2019 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 56th pick before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. He played a season in the NBA G League with Brooklyn's affiliate, the Long Island Nets before beginning his European career in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kris Wilkes</span> American basketball player

Kristafer Aaron Wilkes is an American basketball player. As a high school senior, he was a McDonald's All-American and named Indiana Mr. Basketball. Wilkes played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins in the Pac-12 Conference. He was a starter as a freshman in 2017–18, when he was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. As a sophomore, he earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019. He went undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018–19 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2018–19 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Bruins played their home games at Pauley Pavilion as members in the Pac-12 Conference. They were led by sixth-year head coach Steve Alford until he was fired mid-season and assistant Murry Bartow was named the interim head coach. Their lineup featured three former McDonald's All-Americans: sophomores Jaylen Hands and Kris Wilkes were both named second-team All-Pac-12, while first-year player Moses Brown was voted to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. UCLA finished the season 17–16, and lost in the second round of the Pac-12 tournament. They missed the postseason for the second time in four years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moses Brown (basketball)</span> American basketball player

Moses Shirief-Lamar Brown is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019–20 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2019–20 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles, during the 2019–20 NCAA Division I season. The Bruins were led by first-year head coach Mick Cronin and played their home games at Pauley Pavilion as members in the Pac-12 Conference. UCLA finished the season with a 19–12 record. After starting slowly at 8–9, they went 11–3 and finished second in the Pac-12 at 12–6. Cronin was named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year, while junior Chris Smith earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors and was voted the Pac-12 Most Improved Player. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Pac-12 tournament was canceled before the Bruins' first scheduled game in the quarterfinals, and the NCAA tournament was called off as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Juzang</span> American basketball player

Jonathan Anh Juzang is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract for the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League. He began his college basketball career playing one season with the Kentucky Wildcats before transferring and spending two seasons with the UCLA Bruins. A two-time all-conference selection in the Pac-12, Juzang earned third-team All-American honors as a junior in 2022. As a sophomore, he was named to the All-Tournament Team of the 2021 NCAA tournament, as the Bruins advanced to the Final Four.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaime Jaquez Jr.</span> Mexican American basketball player (born 2001)

Jaime Jaquez Jr. is a Mexican-American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins of the Pac-12 Conference. Jaquez was named a consensus second-team All-American and voted the Pac-12 Player of the Year as a senior in 2023. He earned three All-Pac-12 selections, including first-team honors twice. Jaquez was also a two-time member of the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. He was selected by the Heat in the first round of the 2023 NBA draft with the 18th overall pick. He is nicknamed ”Juan Wick” for his Mexican heritage and perceived resemblance to John Wick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyger Campbell</span> American basketball player

Tyger Campbell is an American professional basketball player for Saint-Quentin of the LNB Pro A. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins of the Pac-12 Conference. Three times he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Smith (basketball, born 1999)</span> American basketball player

Sean Christian Smith is an American professional basketball player for the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. He earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors as a junior in 2020, when he was also named the conference's most improved player. Undrafted out of college, Smith signed a two-way contract to play with the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and their development team, Motor City.

Adem Bona is a Turkish college basketball player for the UCLA Bruins of the Pac-12 Conference. Named a McDonald's All-American in high school, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team and voted the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in 2023. He was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection and voted the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020–21 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2020–21 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I season. The Bruins were led by second-year head coach Mick Cronin and played their home games at Pauley Pavilion as members of the Pac-12 Conference. Tyger Campbell was named first-team all-conference, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Johnny Juzang were selected second-team All-Pac-12. Jaquez also earned Pac-12 All-Defensive team honors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021–22 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2021–22 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2021–22 NCAA Division I season. The Bruins were led by third-year head coach Mick Cronin and they played their home games at Pauley Pavilion as members of the Pac-12 Conference. All ten players from the previous year's Final Four team returned. Johnny Juzang earned third-team All-American honors, and he was named first-team all-conference along with Tyger Campbell and Jaime Jaquez Jr. Jaquez, Jaylen Clark and Myles Johnson were also voted to the Pac-12 All-Defensive team. New this season is that the team's footwear, apparel, and equipment are provided by Jordan Brand and Nike.

Amari Bailey is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League. In high school he was selected as a McDonald's All-American and California Mr. Basketball. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, earning all-freshman honors in the Pac-12 Conference in his only season. He was selected by the Hornets in the second round of the 2023 NBA draft. Bailey made his NBA debut for the Hornets in November 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2022–23 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles during the 2022–23 NCAA Division I season. The Bruins were led by fourth-year head coach Mick Cronin, and they played their home games at Pauley Pavilion as members of the Pac-12 Conference. Guard/forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. was named a second-team All-American. He was voted the Pac-12 Player of the Year, and received first-team All-Pac-12 honors along with guard Tyger Campbell. Guard Jaylen Clark was named to the second team and was voted the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He was placed on the conference's all-defensive team along with forward Adem Bona, who was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. Amari Bailey joined Bona on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team, and Cronin was voted the Pac-12 Coach of the Year.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Jaylen Clark". UCLA Athletics. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Wishing a very Happy Birthday to Bruins' guard Jaylen Clark!". UCLA Men's Basketball. October 13, 2022. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  3. ↑ Hollinger, John (January 23, 2023). "Hollinger: Suns' Jae Crowder trade dilemma; Grizzlies' and Pacers' deadline decisions" . The Athletic. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023. Finally, Clark is at a point where his age starts to work against him since he's already a junior, albeit a relatively young one who won't turn 22 until October.
  4. 1 2 Bolch, Ben (February 23, 2022). "Jaylen Clark is fulfilling a promise that has bolstered No. 12 UCLA". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Former Etiwanda High School star Jaylen Clark helps UCLA achieve thrilling 80-79 victory". Fontana Herald News. February 22, 2021. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  6. ↑ Polacheck, Jacob (February 5, 2020). "Jaylen Clark to UCLA". Zagsblog. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  7. ↑ Spratling, Shotgun (February 6, 2020). "Etiwanda's Jaylen Clark growing into player UCLA basketball wants". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  8. ↑ Bolch, Ben (January 19, 2021). "Jaylen Clark could be just what UCLA's sagging defense needs". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  9. ↑ Grosbard, Adam (April 15, 2020). "UCLA men's basketball announces additions of Jaylen Clark, Kentucky transfer Johnny Juzang". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  10. ↑ "UCLA adds 2 guards, including Kentucky transfer Juzang". The Seattle Times. The Associated Press. April 15, 2020. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 Bolch, Ben (September 9, 2021). "UCLA basketball player Jaylen Clark is releasing his own cryptocurrency called $JROCK". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  12. ↑ Gardner, Michelle (February 20, 2021). "UCLA slips past ASU on Jaylen Clark free throw with 1.4 seconds left". Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  13. 1 2 Bolch, Ben (June 9, 2021). "Honestly, UCLA's basketball recruits crave the truth about reaching their potential". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  14. ↑ Stephen, Garrett (March 19, 2021). "Everything Mick Cronin said after UCLA's 86-80 OT win over Michigan State in First Four". 247Sports. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Bolch, Ben (April 2, 2023). "Jaylen Clark becomes UCLA's first Naismith defensive player of the year winner". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  16. 1 2 3 Davis, Seth (September 14, 2022). "The questions at UCLA, where Amari Bailey and a studded freshman class bring hope" . The Athletic. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  17. 1 2 Borzello, Jeff (March 9, 2023). "Sources: UCLA's Jaylen Clark (Achilles) out for rest of season". ESPN. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  18. 1 2 Cobb, David (March 8, 2023). "Jaylen Clark injury: UCLA guard out for season after hurting Achilles as Bruins lose key defender". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  19. ↑ Rothstein, Jon (November 9, 2022). "The Breakfast Buffet: Louisville's brutal opener, Jaylen Clark, Kansas may not be traditional Kansas". College Hoops Today. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  20. 1 2 3 Thompson, Scott (March 8, 2023). "UCLA loses starting guard for March Madness with Achilles injury: reports". Fox News. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  21. ↑ Fattal, Tarek (November 10, 2022). "UCLA hosts Long Beach State with Jaylen Clark as a not-so-secret weapon". Los Angeles Daily News. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  22. ↑ Brooks, Matt (March 29, 2024). "Nuggets host Timberwolves with chance at clinching playoff spot". NBA.com. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  23. 1 2 Bolch, Ben (March 11, 2023). "UCLA falls to Arizona in Pac-12 title game, hurting chances for a No. 1 NCAA seed". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  24. ↑ Bolch, Ben (March 12, 2023). "March Madness: UCLA's seniors ready for their last chance to dance". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  25. 1 2 Bolch, Ben (March 29, 2023). "UCLA's Jaylen Clark declares for the NBA draft despite serious leg injury". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  26. ↑ Bolch, Ben (March 23, 2023). "Jubilation turns into heartbreak as UCLA loses to Gonzaga again in NCAA tournament". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  27. 1 2 3 4 Koons, Zach (March 8, 2023). "UCLA's Jaylen Clark Out for Season With Achilles Injury, per Report". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  28. 1 2 Sweeney, Kevin (March 8, 2023). "Jaylen Clark's Season-Ending Injury Is a Crushing Blow to UCLA's Title Hopes". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  29. ↑ "2022-23 Pac-12 Men's Basketball All-Conference honors and Annual Performance Awards, presented by Nextiva" (Press release). Pac-12 Conference. March 7, 2023. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  30. ↑ Fattal, Tarek (June 22, 2023). "NBA draft: UCLA's Jaime Jaquez Jr. goes to Heat at No. 18 overall". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Timberwolves Sign Jaylen Clark to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  32. ↑ Hine, Chris (July 7, 2023). "Timberwolves overcome slow start in 102-88 victory over New Orleans Pelicans in summer league". Star Tribune. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Timberwolves' Jaylen Clark: Heads to G League for rehab". CBS Sports. March 30, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Jaylen Clark College Stats". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.