Clark Named The American's Player of the Week

Cincinnati senior forward Gary Clark was named The American's Player of the Week after earning MVP honors at the Cayman Islands Classic last week. 

Clark Named The American's Player of the WeekClark Named The American's Player of the Week
CINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati senior forward Gary Clark (Clayton, N.C./Clayton HS) had been named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week the league announced Monday. 

Clark was named the most valuable player of the Cayman Islands Classic last week, leading to the Bearcats to three wins while averaging 16.3 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting 53.3 percent (16 of 30) from the floor and 87.5 percent (14 of 16) from the free throw line.  

Clark registered his 20th career double-double with 24 points and a game-high 14 rebounds against Buffalo (11/20). He scored eight points and recorded a game-high eight rebounds and seven assists against Richmond (11/21). Clark scored UC's first 13 points against Wyoming (11/22) en route to leading the Bearcats to the tournament crown, finishing with 17 points and six rebounds in the title game. 

The performance against Buffalo marked Clark's fifth career 20-point game and marked the eighth time he's grabbed 14 or more rebounds in a game during his career.

Clark leads 12th-ranked Cincinnati (6-0) with a team-best 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds. 

Tabbed to The American's preseason second team by the league's coaches, Clark ranked third in the nation in career rebounds with 869 (through Nov. 22). He has been named to preseason watch lists for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, the Lute Olson Player of the Year award and the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year award. 

A member of Cincinnati's 1,000-point club, Clark is on pace to finish his career ranked among the Top 5 players in school history in rebounds and blocks.

This marks the third time Clark has earned The American's Player of the Week honor in his career along with March 7, 2016 and Dec. 26, 2016.