Gary Clark (basketball)

Gary Clark Jr. (born November 16, 1994) is an American professional basketball player who last played 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 was born in Smithfield, North Carolina. He 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. 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.

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. Clark posted 7.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.0 steal and 1.3 blocks per game as a freshman.

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. Prior to his junior year, Clark was named to the preseason All-AAC first team. He averaged 10.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game as a junior.

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. 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.

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. On December 6, 2018, his contract was converted to a standard NBA contract. During the 2018–19 season, he appeared in 51 regular season games and two playoff games for the Rockets. He also played 10 games with the Rockets' NBA G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

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

Orlando Magic (2020–2021)
On January 14, 2020, Clark signed a 10-day contract with the Orlando Magic. He signed a second 10-day contract on January 29, and a rest-of-season contract on February 8.

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

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. On April 9, he was waived after making two appearances.

Philadelphia 76ers (2021)
On May 11, 2021, Clark signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Capitanes de Ciudad de México (2021)
In November 2021, Clark joined the Capitanes de Ciudad de México of the NBA G League. 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.

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. On January 7, 2022, he was waived by the Pelicans. Two days later, he re-signed with the Pelicans on a two-way contract.

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.

Illawarra Hawks (2023–2024)
On June 24, 2023, Clark signed with the Illawarra Hawks in Australia for the 2023–24 NBL season.

On June 13, 2024, Clark was selected by the Valley Suns in the 2024 NBA G League expansion draft.