Tasmania JackJumpers leap into semi-finals after clipping the wings of the Illawarra Hawks wings
March 1, 2024
Gary Clark
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 16/11/94
- Place of Birth: Smithfield, North Carolina (USA)
- Position: FRD
- Height (CM): 198
- Weight (KG): 102
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Cincinnati (2014–2018)
- NBL DEBUT: 30/09/23
- AGE AT DEBUT: 28
- LAST NBL GAME: 13/03/24
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 29
- NBL History: Illawarra 2024
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Gary Clark was born in Smithfield, North Carolina (USA), where he attended Clayton High School, 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. He committed to Cincinnati on September 18, 2013 after receiving a scholarship offer from NC State
NBL EXPERIENCE
Gary Clark made his NBL debut with the Illawarra Hawks at 28 years of age. He scored seven points in his first game.
After a disappointing 3-25 record in the previous season, Illawarra entered the 2023/24 campaign with a retooled roster and high expectations under second-year head coach Jacob Jackomas. Among the notable additions was NBA veteran Gary Clark, who joined as the team’s third import alongside returning stars Tyler Harvey and Sam Froling.
Illawarra showed promise in the preseason, but injuries to key players Mason Peatling and Hyunjung Lee hindered their early progress. Clark (17 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists) quickly emerged as the team’s most consistent performer, delivering on both ends of the court. Despite his efforts, the Hawks began the season 2-4, with wins against South East Melbourne and Cairns failing to offset disappointing losses.
By November, a series of heavy defeats, including back-to-back losses to Sydney and Cairns, led to the departure of Jackomas. Interim coach Justin Tatum took the helm and sparked a mid-season revival, guiding Illawarra to four wins in six games. Clark remained a cornerstone during this stretch, providing reliable scoring and rebounding while the team dealt with injuries, including a knee issue that sidelined Daniel Grida.
The Hawks finished the regular season in fourth place (14-14), showcasing a significant improvement in offense. They raised their scoring average to 91.6 points per game, a leap from the league-worst 80.8 in the previous year. In the play-in tournament, Illawarra lost to Tasmania (92-76) but bounced back to defeat New Zealand (88-85) in a thrilling elimination game, earning a semifinal berth.
Clark’s leadership was evident in the postseason. Despite a strong first-half effort in game one of the semifinals, Illawarra fell to Melbourne United in overtime (115-106). They evened the series with a gritty win in game two, but the Hawks’ campaign ended in the deciding third game, falling six points short of a Grand Final appearance.
Clark delivered several standout performances throughout the season, including a season-high 38 points against Cairns. His impact earned him the Hawk’s Club MVP award and a spot on the All-NBL First Team.
Gary Clark played one season in the NBL. He averaged 17 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 33 NBL games.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 29 | Illawarra | 14-14 (4) | 33 | 1,020.0 | 562 | 257 | 75 | 59 | 198 | 29 | 24 | 73 | 61 | 199 | 432 | 46% | 55 | 168 | 33% | 109 | 143 | 76% | 56% | 52% | 36 | Totals | 33 | 1020 | 562 | 257 | 75 | 59 | 198 | 29 | 24 | 73 | 61 | 199 | 432 | 46.1% | 55 | 168 | 32.7% | 109 | 143 | 76.2% | 57% | 52% | 36 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 29 | Illawarra | 14-14 (4) | 33 | 30.9 | 17.0 | 7.8 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 13.1 | 46% | 1.7 | 5.1 | 33% | 3.3 | 4.3 | 76% | 56% | 52% | 36 | Total | 33 | 30.9 | 17.0 | 7.8 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 13.1 | 46.1% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 32.7% | 1.7 | 5.1 | 76.2% | 57% | 52% | 36 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 36 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
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.
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 March 25, 2021, Clark and Aaron Gordon were traded to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Gary Harris, RJ Hampton and a future first round pick. On April 9, he was waived after making two appearances.
On May 11, 2021, Clark signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
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 but two days later, he re-signed with the Pelicans on a two-way contract.
Clark played 197 games in the NBA. He averaged 3.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- July 6, 2018: Signed a contract with the Houston Rockets.
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October 15, 2018: Signed a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets.
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December 6, 2018: Converted from a two-way contract to a regular contract by the Houston Rockets.
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January 7, 2020: Waived by the Houston Rockets.
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January 14, 2020: Signed a 10-day contract with the Orlando Magic.
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January 29, 2020: Signed a 2nd 10-day contract with the Orlando Magic.
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February 8, 2020: Signed a contract for the rest of the season with the Orlando Magic.
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November 23, 2020: Signed a multi-year contract with the Orlando Magic.
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March 25, 2021: Traded by the Orlando Magic with Aaron Gordon to the Denver Nuggets for R.J. Hampton, Gary Harris and a 2025 1st round draft pick. Denver also received a trade exception Orlando also received a trade exception 2025 1st-rd pick (DEN own) is top-5 protected and conveys to 2026 and 2027 with the same protection.
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April 8, 2021: Waived by the Denver Nuggets.
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May 11, 2021: Signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
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December 3, 2021: Signed a contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.
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January 7, 2022: Waived by the New Orleans Pelicans.
January 9, 2022: Signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 88% | 81% | 77% | 88% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 36 | 5 | 4 | 4 | ||||||
| Total | 199 | 432 | 46.1% | 55 | 168 | 32.7% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 24 | Houston | PF | 51 | 2 | 641 | 148 | 116 | 18 | 24 | 92 | 20 | 26 | 7 | 47 | 50 | 151 | 33% | 41 | 138 | 30% | 7 | 7 | 100% | 48% | 47% |
| 2019-20 | 25 | Houston | PF | 18 | 0 | 212 | 70 | 40 | 12 | 11 | 29 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 21 | 23 | 59 | 39% | 18 | 51 | 35% | 6 | 7 | 86% | 56% | 54% |
| 2019-20 | 25 | Orlando | SF | 24 | 5 | 355 | 86 | 70 | 5 | 26 | 44 | 4 | 15 | 8 | 25 | 31 | 74 | 42% | 21 | 60 | 35% | 3 | 3 | 100% | 57% | 56% |
| 2020-21 | 26 | Orlando | SF | 35 | 11 | 637 | 119 | 112 | 30 | 33 | 79 | 12 | 7 | 17 | 34 | 40 | 131 | 31% | 31 | 108 | 29% | 8 | 10 | 80% | 44% | 42% |
| 2020-21 | 26 | Denver | SF | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | |
| 2020-21 | 26 | Philadelphia | PF | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| 2021-22 | 31 | Phoenix | SF | 27 | 2 | 562 | 187 | 115 | 33 | 27 | 88 | 22 | 17 | 28 | 56 | 72 | 160 | 45% | 31 | 96 | 32% | 12 | 17 | 71% | 56% | 55% |
| 2021-22 | 27 | New Orleans | PF | 38 | 1 | 378 | 101 | 90 | 18 | 23 | 67 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 20 | 33 | 88 | 38% | 28 | 70 | 40% | 7 | 10 | 70% | 55% | 53% |
| 2018-19 | 24 | Houston | PF | 51 | 2 | 641 | 148 | 116 | 18 | 24 | 92 | 20 | 26 | 7 | 47 | 50 | 151 | 33% | 41 | 138 | 30% | 7 | 7 | 100% | 48% | 47% |
| 2019-20 | 25 | Houston | PF | 18 | 0 | 212 | 70 | 40 | 12 | 11 | 29 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 21 | 23 | 59 | 39% | 18 | 51 | 35% | 6 | 7 | 86% | 56% | 54% |
| 2019-20 | 25 | Orlando | SF | 24 | 5 | 355 | 86 | 70 | 5 | 26 | 44 | 4 | 15 | 8 | 25 | 31 | 74 | 42% | 21 | 60 | 35% | 3 | 3 | 100% | 57% | 56% |
| 2020-21 | 26 | Orlando | SF | 35 | 11 | 637 | 119 | 112 | 30 | 33 | 79 | 12 | 7 | 17 | 34 | 40 | 131 | 31% | 31 | 108 | 29% | 8 | 10 | 80% | 44% | 42% |
| 2020-21 | 26 | Denver | SF | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | |
| 2020-21 | 26 | Philadelphia | PF | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| 2021-22 | 31 | Phoenix | SF | 27 | 2 | 562 | 187 | 115 | 33 | 27 | 88 | 22 | 17 | 28 | 56 | 72 | 160 | 45% | 31 | 96 | 32% | 12 | 17 | 71% | 56% | 55% |
| 2021-22 | 27 | New Orleans | PF | 38 | 1 | 378 | 101 | 90 | 18 | 23 | 67 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 20 | 33 | 88 | 38% | 28 | 70 | 40% | 7 | 10 | 70% | 55% | 53% | Total | 197 | 21 | 2802 | 711 | 546 | 117 | 144 | 402 | 74 | 79 | 72 | 204 | 249 | 664 | 38% | 170 | 523 | 33% | 43 | 54 | 80% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 24 | Houston | PF | 51 | 2 | 12.6 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 33% | 0.8 | 2.7 | 30% | 0.1 | 0.1 | 100% | 48% | 47% |
| 2019-20 | 25 | Houston | PF | 18 | 0 | 11.8 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 3.3 | 39% | 1.0 | 2.8 | 35% | 0.3 | 0.4 | 86% | 56% | 54% |
| 2019-20 | 25 | Orlando | SF | 24 | 5 | 14.8 | 3.6 | 2.9 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 42% | 0.9 | 2.5 | 35% | 0.1 | 0.1 | 100% | 57% | 56% |
| 2020-21 | 26 | Orlando | SF | 35 | 11 | 18.2 | 3.4 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 3.7 | 31% | 0.9 | 3.1 | 29% | 0.2 | 0.3 | 80% | 44% | 42% |
| 2020-21 | 26 | Denver | SF | 2 | 0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0% | |
| 2020-21 | 26 | Philadelphia | PF | 2 | 0 | 6.5 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| 2021-22 | 31 | Phoenix | SF | 27 | 2 | 20.8 | 6.9 | 4.3 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 5.9 | 45% | 1.1 | 3.6 | 32% | 0.4 | 0.6 | 71% | 56% | 55% |
| 2021-22 | 27 | New Orleans | PF | 38 | 1 | 9.9 | 2.7 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 38% | 0.7 | 1.8 | 40% | 0.2 | 0.3 | 70% | 55% | 53% | Total | 197 | 21 | 14.2 | 3.6 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 3.4 | 38% | 0.9 | 2.7 | 33% | 0.2 | 0.3 | 80% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Mexico - Capitanes de Ciudad de México (2021, 2022-2023)
In November 2021, Clark joined the Capitanes de Ciudad de México of the NBA G League mid-season and in eight games, he averaged 14.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 31.3 minutes. Clark returned to play for the Capitanes de Ciudad de México for the full 2022–23 NBA G League season.
COLLEGE
Clark made a 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.
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 a 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
AWARDS
- 1x All-NBL First Team- NBA G League champion (2019)
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AAC Player of the Year (2018)
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First-team All-AAC (2018)
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Second-team All-AAC (2016)
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2× AAC Defensive Player of the Year (2016, 2018)
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AAC tournament MVP (2018)
Related
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