TicketsCINCINNATI – Former University of Cincinnati forward Gary Clark has signed with the NBA's Houston Rockets, the organization announced Thursday.
Clark becomes the second member of UC's 2017-18 squad to sign with an NBA team this offseason. Former junior swingman Jacob Evans III was selected by Golden State as the 28th overall pick of the draft on June 21 and signed with the Warriors on July 2.
A native of Clayton, North Carolina, Clark recorded a standout senior campaign with the Bearcats in 2017-18, collecting numerous American Athletic Conference awards while helping UC win the league's regular-season and tournament championships and tie the school record for wins (31). He was named the AAC's player of the year, defensive player of the year (for the second time in his career) and the conference tournament most valuable player. He was the league's only unanimous first team selection and also earned the league's sportsmanship award.
Clark averaged 12.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks in 28.5 minutes in 2017-18 while ranking among the league leaders in nine categories: rebounds (first at 8.7), double-doubles (first with 14), defensive rebounds (first at 5.7), offensive rebounds (second at 3.0), blocks (seventh at 1.2), steals (seventh at 1.4), field goal percentage (seventh at .526), free throw percentage (13th at .741) and points (17th at 12.9). He ended the season ranked third in the nation with 1,132 career rebounds.
Among Clark's notable career accomplishments he finished as one of three players in Cincinnati history with more than 1,400 points and 1,100 rebounds along with National Basketball Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson (2,973 points/1,338 rebounds) and Jack Twyman (1,598 points/1,242 rebounds). He started a school-record 137 games while finishing second at Cincinnati in victories (106) and consecutive games played (139); third in rebounds (1,132); fifth in blocks (180) and 16th in points (1,462). He registered a Mick Cronin coaching era (since 2006-07 season) record 32 double-doubles and completed his career as one of only two players in school history to lead his team in rebounding for four seasons (Yancy Gates from 2009-12).
According to Basketball-Reference, which tracks NCAA statistics back to 1992-93, Clark joined David West as the only Division I players with career totals of at least 1,400 points, 1,100 rebounds, 200 assists, 150 steals, and 180 blocks.
The Bearcats posted a 106-33 mark during Clark's four-year career, advanced to four NCAA tournament appearances and recorded back-to-back 30-win campaigns for the first time in program history.
"Gary Clark has been the rock of Bearcats basketball for the last four years," UC head coach Mick Cronin said. "He is the quintessential team player that all coaches love. There is no finer young man to have ever donned a Bearcats Jersey. We all watched Gary grow and develop in our program and we take great pride in how far he has come as a player. Gary makes your team a better team, period! We love him and are so proud and excited for him."
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