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Guard Ian Clark was forgotten during the 2013 NBA Draft. So many executives wondered how a top-notch shooter could be left behind. However, the Utah Jazz are glad it happened that way, as they are thrilled to have the 2013 NBA Sumer League Championship Game MVP on their squad.
Clark dominated at Belmont last season as he averaged 18.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 33.4 minutes per game. He also managed to shoot 54.3 percent from the field and a whopping 45.9 percent from beyond the arc. All in all, he left school shooting 46.0 percent from 3-point range, which was good for third in college basketball over a three-year span.
It is unknown exactly what role the Jazz have in mind for Clark. There is no question no one outside of the organization expects him to make the final cut. However, Utah believes Clark can prove to be a difference maker for the team. If he can show the team that he has what it takes to handle NBA minutes then they are going to give him a shot.
“They have great, young core guys who want to come out and play,” Clark said, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. “I had dinner with coach [Ty Corbin] last night, and we talked about it. He told me to just free up my mind and go play.”
The Jazz already have rookie Trey Burke and veteran John Lucas III handling the point guard position. However, there is no stopping Clark from competing for some playing time as a backup shooting guard, which is probably where he would be more comfortable anyways.
