Chris Clarke (Committed to Virginia Tech)

[Chin Diesel]

I guess it's just me but I don't see how anyone can think there is a talent gap between players ranked 20-50. Finding the right college fit and a bit of good luck has more to do with how they develop than actual talent.

Clarke or Jones is a push.

 

[intlzncster]

I have to respectfully disagree, just because a guy doesn't play 2 sports doesn't mean he can't. I mean, yeah, if you're talking Deion Sanders or Bo Jackson I'm not arguing; but just because a guy played 2 sports that he is a better athlete than guys who choose to play one.

Donny was an athletic freak, not arguing that, but he is not a better athlete than Rudy Gay or Andre Drummond just because he played 2 sports.

Seeing as those two guys are in my top 3 most athletic guys in UConn history (with Burrell), I'd have to agree.

 

[BearJWS]

You can probably say this about Chris Clarke...
You won't need to ask him to play hard.
He's going to give you energy on every play.
He's going to make a living at the foul line.
You won't need to run plays for him.
He's going to make his own plays.
He will be a fan favorite wherever he goes to college (or "clg" in chapwilvaug talk).
It would actually be fun to have Clarke & Jones on the wings.... Just bring in Enoch & a shot blocker/banger to join them with JA.

 

[otp85]

I guess it's just me but I don't see how anyone can think there is a talent gap between players ranked 20-50. Finding the right college fit and a bit of good luck has more to do with how they develop than actual talent.

Clarke or Jones is a push.

People believe there is a talent gap because if you watch them you outright know there is one. Derrick Jones, as people have said, is a rare athletic talent, he possesses speed, power, and bounce that are pretty unmatched on that level. Rankings aside you watch them play and you see the ceiling for Jones is incredibly high. Clarke is a good athlete but his assets come from hard work and effort not inherent talent. They are simply different players.

That said, I completely agree with the 2nd half of your statement. Talent or no talent the wrong college decision or some bad luck can kill the most promising of careers.

 

[otp85]

Seeing as those two guys are in my top 3 most athletic guys in UConn history (with Burrell), I'd have to agree.

Fair enough. Like I said I wasn't trying to insult anyone's athletic ability just making a point more sports doesn't automatically mean more athletic. I don't think Jordan was a good athlete because he played for the White Sox ya know?

 

[intlzncster]

Fair enough. Like I said I wasn't trying to insult anyone's athletic ability just making a point more sports doesn't automatically mean more athletic. I don't think Jordan was a good athlete because he played for the White Sox ya know?

No, true, but the fact that he had the ability to switch to another semi pro sport, out of nowhere no less, is surely an example of how he was a phenomenal athlete. Also, baseball is a little weird in that you don't necessarily need to be a great athlete to play it.

 

[intlzncster]

People believe there is a talent gap because if you watch them you outright know there is one. Derrick Jones, as people have said, is a rare athletic talent, he possesses speed, power, and bounce that are pretty unmatched on that level. Rankings aside you watch them play and you see the ceiling for Jones is incredibly high. Clarke is a good athlete but his assets come from hard work and effort not inherent talent. They are simply different players.

That said, I completely agree with the 2nd half of your statement. Talent or no talent the wrong college decision or some bad luck can kill the most promising of careers.

Why don't we just take Adams, Jones, Clarke, Enoch and Stone on a 5th schollie (which would sort itself out as it always does) and call it a day?

 

[DogMania]

Why don't we just take Adams, Jones, Clarke, Enoch and Stone on a 5th schollie (which would sort itself out as it always does) and call it a day?

I like that list but Clarke and Jones won't want to go to the same school
since they pretty much play the same position.

I still like KO to hold out for Jones for a little bit if it looks like our chances are good, but if Clarke wants to pull the trigger soon, it might be best to take the bird in the hand and take Clarke.

Jones just looks like such a fun player, but we'd likely get one to two years compared to three or four from Clark.

 

[David 76]

Who is to say you don't get 2 better years from Jones followed by 2 equal years from the next guy in line? Posters always make make it sound like you play with 4 players after one leaves early for the NBA.
I understand team chemistry and development. But it is not as bleak as people make it out to be. You need to recruit the rights top candidates but I'm glad we had Caron, Andre & Rudy (A little less for Rudy)

 

[DogMania]

Who is to say you don't get 2 better years from Jones followed by 2 equal years from the next guy in line? Posters always make make it sound like you play with 4 players after one leaves early for the NBA.
I understand team chemistry and development. But it is not as bleak as people make it out to be. You need to recruit the rights top candidates but I'm glad we had Caron, Andre & Rudy (A little less for Rudy)

You make a good point, but too often a one or two year player leaves before they are capable of contributing consistently during winning time, especially when the stakes are at their highest.

Caron was able to do so his sophomore year while Rudy was not. Drummond was simply too inexperienced and unskilled during his one year at UConn.

Since none of us have a crystal ball, who knows what type of contributions Jones and Clark will make during however many years they play for the college they choose.

 

[intlzncster]

I like that list but Clarke and Jones won't want to go to the same school
since they pretty much play the same position.

If Ollie can sell the multiple combo players on the floor at the same time, it might work. Say Jones can develop a 3pt mid range shot, he could really be a hybrid 2. And you'd have Clarke in there for D and another option to attack the rim, it might not be an issue.

Mind you, This is all pipe dream stuff but It's fun to think about.

 

[mauconnfan]

If Ollie can sell the multiple combo players on the floor at the same time, it might work. Say Jones can develop a 3pt mid range shot, he could really be a hybrid 2. And you'd have Clarke in there for D and another option to attack the rim, it might not be an issue.

Mind you, This is all pipe dream stuff but It's fun to think about.

A great idea but besides those 2 they would have no idea if DHam will still be around which leaves even less time……..too many variables to see those guys go to the same school I'm afraid. Would be nice though I agree…...

 

[CallMeBruce]

If Ollie can sell the multiple combo players on the floor at the same time, it might work. Say Jones can develop a 3pt mid range shot, he could really be a hybrid 2. And you'd have Clarke in there for D and another option to attack the rim, it might not be an issue.

Mind you, This is all pipe dream stuff but It's fun to think about.

I feel like teams that play a 3 down at the 2 always have ball-handling issues, like the '06 team.

 

[pj]

Andre and Rudy didn't contribute much to our NCAA success, but it's good for the program to have alumni starring in the NBA. Every other early departure we've had has been a major contributor in college. There's been no great player that I wish we hadn't gotten. Several lousy players I wish we hadn't gotten.

 

[Tenspro2002]

I feel like teams that play a 3 down at the 2 always have ball-handling issues, like the '06 team.

I agree completely. You can do that sometimes in the NBA, where 3's have elite ballhandling capability. In college, not so much.

 

[selles]

I feel like teams that play a 3 down at the 2 always have ball-handling issues, like the '06 team.

I think that's right. If we're daydreaming about Jones and Clarke playing at the same time, I think it would have to be as 3/4 rather than 2/3. Like Rip/KFree.

 

[intlzncster]

I feel like teams that play a 3 down at the 2 always have ball-handling issues, like the '06 team.

Depends on how good these guys can handle by the time they are in college. I do know what you are saying though.

 

[tcf15]

With the July recruiting travel over, UConn hopes to nail down official visits this month with several Class of 2015 recruits, including Chris Clarke, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard from Virginia, and Jean Marc Christ Koumadje, a 7-3 center from Florida, and Bennie Boatwright, a 6-9 power forward from Los Angeles (no relation to guard Ryan Boatright).

http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn...golf-tournament-0805-20140804,0,7286483.story

 

[intlzncster]

With the July recruiting travel over, UConn hopes to nail down official visits this month with several Class of 2015 recruits, including Chris Clarke, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard from Virginia, and Jean Marc Christ Koumadje, a 7-3 center from Florida, and Bennie Boatwright, a 6-9 power forward from Los Angeles (no relation to guard Ryan Boatright).

http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn...golf-tournament-0805-20140804,0,7286483.story

Seeing as they are spelled differently, you'd hope not.

 

[David 76]

I like Bennie!

 

[tcf15]

http://www.vantagehoops.com/news_article/show/407504?referrer_id=1103687

“No one school is sticking out yet, but some schools are coming harder than others. Tennessee, Iowa State, Creighton, Florida, UConn are the hardest right now.”

With Florida being the most recent, Clarke said there are many positives in the warm-weather school that really appeal to him.

“Florida has a great location, they’re a winning program, and they can put players in the NBA. I like their legacy.”

He also spoke highly of the defending national champs, the Connecticut Huskies.

“They can win and produce NBA players. Those are pluses for me. Coach Ollie and me talk periodically. He told me if I do decide to go to UConn, that I’d be utilized right away, and that he loves my game and my energy.”

Whichever school does land the versatile wing, it’s likely that program will have four qualities that Clarke is looking for in his ultimate choice.

“Good location, good teammates, good coaching, and great support,” he said.​

(h/t to @3uconn for finding the article)

 

[CallMeBruce]

3 out of 4 ain't bad.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Well, we meet 3 out of 4.

 

[tcf15]

@coreyevans_10: Look for a condensed list by 2015 Cape Henry wing Chris Clarke to be released in the next few days or so

 

[tcf15]

Corey Evans ‏@coreyevans_10
Chris Clarke states that he plans on narrowing his list upon returning home following the @NikeGlobal

 

[otp85]

Clarke was impressive again today for USA East squad at the NIKE Global Challenge. Starting again Clarke went for 19 points on 9-10 shooting and was a menace on defense as usual.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Clarke was impressive again today for USA East squad at the NIKE Global Challenge. Starting again Clarke went for 19 points on 9-10 shooting and was a menace on defense as usual.

This kids going to be in high demand soon, we better lock him up fast

 

[mbt0512]

This kids going to be in high demand soon, we better lock him up fast

I couldn't agree with you more. What little I have seen on the Clarke mixtapes is that he brings to the table the same type of toughness and fight which has become a hallmark of UConn basketball. Whether it's Jeff Adrien, Jerome Dyson, Johnnie Selvie or even a less stat-stuffing but equally lunchpail Ed Nelson.. no one was ever going to outwork those guys. I could be wrong and only time will tell, but I love that Chris doesn't try to be fancy, or do anything which would really lend itself to a mixtape highlight. It's him beating opposition down floor and getting layups non-stop, which I would imagine must have been on display again in a 9-10 FG shooting night.

 

[otp85]

It's him beating opposition down floor and getting layups non-stop, which I would imagine must have been on display again in a 9-10 FG shooting night.

All of them were easy buckets, he excels at finding easy shots. And really, what's more important than getting easy shots. And it's not just him beating his man down the floor, he does it in the half court too. He runs around like a madman, never stops moving, and he has a nose for the ball which gets him alot of put back/cleanup baskets. He's a very hard player not to like when you watch him play; I predict he is an instant fan favorite if he ends up in Storrs.

 

[Danzz]

Outside shooting could be a weakness going forward. Jones or Clark? Would be happy with either player but prefer the one with the better outside shot whoever that is.