Earl Clark
Earl Rashad Clark (born January 17, 1988) is an American professional basketball player who last played for Gran Canaria of the Liga ACB. He played college basketball for the University of Louisville and was drafted 14th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2009 NBA draft. High school career. Clark grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey and attended Rahway High School in Rahway, New Jersey. There, he scored 1,245 career points. As a senior, he averaged 25.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5 assists per game. He was a 2006 McDonald's All-American, as well as a fourth -team "Parade" All-American. Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Clark was listed as the No. 8 small forward and the No. 22 player in the nation in 2006. College career. As a freshman for the Louisville Cardinals, along with Derrick Caracter, Edgar Sosa, and Jerry Smith, the young group struggled early in the 2006–07 season. The team went on to win 8 out of its last 10 games, earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament. In the first game of the 2007 NCAA Tournament, he scored 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals against Stanford. Clark decided not  to put his name in the 2008 NBA Draft and to return to the University of Louisville for the 2008–2009 season. In the 2008–2009 season, Clark, along with future NBA player Terrence Williams, led Louisville to the Big East Title, as well as a #1 ranking, the first ever in the University of Louisville's history. Professional career. Phoenix Suns (2009–2010). Early in his junior season, Clark announced that he would forgo his senior season to enter the 2009 NBA draft. On April 4, 2009, agent Dan Fegan told ESPN that he had signed Clark as a client shortly after  the end of Louisville's 2008–09 season, which under NCAA rules ended Clark's college eligibility. Clark was drafted 14th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2009 NBA draft. He made his first career three pointer on January 28, 2010. Clark was sent to the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League on March 15, 2010, after only averaging 2.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 7.6 minutes in 45 games. Orlando Magic (2010–2012). On December 18, 2010, Clark was traded to the Orlando Magic along with Jason Richardson and Hedo Türkoğlu for Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat, Mickaël Piétrus, a 2011  first-round draft pick and $3 million cash. On April 16, 2012, he recorded his first double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. In August 2011 during the 2011 NBA lockout, Clark signed a one-year contract with Zhejiang Lions in China. However, the next month, he asked to leave the team for family reasons after not appearing in a game for the club. He re-signed with Orlando in December. Los Angeles Lakers (2012–2013). On August 10, 2012, Clark was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a four-team trade that sent Dwight Howard  to the Lakers. The Denver Nuggets acquired Andre Iguodala, the Philadelphia 76ers received Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson, and the Orlando Magic got Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vučević, Maurice Harkless, Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga, and one protected future first-round pick from each of the other three teams. The Lakers also acquired Chris Duhon from the Magic in the trade. On January 9, 2013, Clark had a breakthrough night, playing 27 minutes and setting personal bests with 22 points and 13 rebounds against the San Antonio Spurs. He had been playing sparingly, but he received extended playing time after  injuries to Lakers big men Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, and Jordan Hill. Coach Mike D'Antoni called Clark's performance "phenomenal"; it was only the second double-double of Clark's career. Clark had three double-doubles over six games, and he was named a permanent starter even after Gasol returned. After three years of limited opportunities, Clark was averaging nearly 30 minutes a game. However, he appeared tired by March, and D'Antoni replaced Clark with Gasol in the starting lineup. Cleveland Cavaliers (2013–2014). On July 12, 2013, Clark signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. On February 20, 2014, Clark was traded  to the Philadelphia 76ers along with Henry Sims and two future second-round picks in exchange for Spencer Hawes. He was waived by the 76ers the next day. New York Knicks (2014). On February 27, 2014, Clark signed a 10-day contract with the New York Knicks. On March 10, 2014, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Knicks. On March 20, 2014, the Knicks did not offer him a rest of season contract. Rio Grande Valley Vipers (2014). On September 25, 2014, Clark signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. However, he was later waived by the Grizzlies on  October 22, 2014. He was then claimed off waivers by the Houston Rockets on October 24, only to be waived again three days later. On October 31, 2014, Clark was acquired by the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of the Memphis Grizzlies. However, he was traded to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers the next day. Shandong Golden Stars (2014–2015). On December 10, 2014, Clark signed with the Shandong Golden Stars of the Chinese Basketball Association after reaching a buyout with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. In 19 games for Shandong, he averaged 26.7 points  and 10.3 rebounds per game. Brooklyn Nets (2015). On March 27, 2015, Clark signed a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets. On April 6, 2015, he signed a multi-year deal with the Nets. On August 10, 2015, he was waived by the Nets. Bakersfield Jam (2015–2016). On October 30, 2015, Clark was acquired by the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League. Delaware 87ers (2016). On January 16, 2016, Clark was traded to the Delaware 87ers in exchange for a 2016 second round pick. Three days later, he made his debut for the 87ers in a 127–112 loss  to the Westchester Knicks, recording four points, four rebounds, one assist, two steals and two blocks in 21 minutes off the bench. On March 19, he was waived by Delaware. Beşiktaş (2016–2018). On May 24, 2016, Clark signed with Henan Roaring Elephants of the Chinese National Basketball League. On August 18, 2016, Clark signed with Turkish club Beşiktaş for the 2016–17 season. On July 3, 2017, he re-signed with Beşiktaş for one more season. He also made the 2017 BSL All Star Game Budućnost VOLI (2018–2019). On June 16, 2018, Clark signed with Budućnost VOLI of the Montenegrin Basketball  League for the 2018–19 season. San Pablo Burgos (2019–2020). On July 19, 2019, Clark signed with Spanish club San Pablo Burgos. Clark became their "franchise player", averaging 12.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in the Liga ACB. He travelled to the US to be with his family after the ACB league cancellation in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Having troubles to return to Spain during the lockdown to resume practice sessions, San Pablo Burgos and Clark mutually decided to part ways on May 15, 2020. Gran Canaria (2020–2021). On June 19, 2020, Clark signed with the Korean team  Anyang KGC. On December 22, 2020, Clark signed with Herbalife Gran Canaria of the Spanish Liga ACB. On December 31, 2021, Clark signed with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA G League. Clark was then later waived on January 21, 2022, without playing a game for the team.