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Coaches vs. Cancer Classic (2 Games)

November 22-23 | Barclays Center (Brooklyn, NY)

Cameron Clark — SG, 6-6, 210
Senior

Season: 18.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1 APG

Outlook: Clark scored 32 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in the championship game vs. Michigan State. He scored 16 points in the first 10 minutes of the game, knocking down jump shots and finalizing plays in transition. Clark got into a rhythm early, and Michigan State could not stop him.

He showcased the scoring ability many expected when he was a top-50 recruit out of high school. Standing at 6-6, he’s a long and wiry swingman who can score from various spots on the floor, as evidenced by the film above. Clark doesn’t possess any “elite” skills, but he has a number of “good” skills.

That said, it was a small sample size, and there’s a surplus of available 6-6 swingmen who can score when feeling it. Plus, Clark really struggles to get to the free throw line. He averaged 1.5 free-throw attempts as a freshman, 2.2 as a sophomore, 1.8 as a junior and 4.8 thus far as a senior. He needs to get more aggressive (nearly 60% of his attempts were jump shots last season), and add muscle to his frame. If Clark can maintain averages of 18 points and 6 rebounds, he may secure an invite to the Draft combine in Chicago. I was impressed with Clark’s performance, but considering his ordinary frame and senior status, I was not blown away.

Video Breakdown: Cameron Clark

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Overview: A 6-6 small forward with NBA size and length, Clark started off his college career as a player who could create shots and also slash off the ball. As the years went by, Clark eventually became Oklahoma’s go-to scorer, and really developed and embraced his shot making ability. He scored 32 points against both Michigan State and Kansas this season, and was consistent from the perimeter all year long. He was a prolific shot maker at the college level, showing proficiency with his feet set, off the dribble, or coming off screens. He routinely made difficult shots look easy.

While he has good size and length, though, Clark is only an average athlete for NBA standards, and has poor foot speed defensively. This leads to questions of where and how he fits in the NBA. Only 25% of his half-court attempts this season came “around the basket,” where he produced a below average .97 points per attempt. He’s not a dunker, and doesn’t have much in terms of a floater or driving game.

Taking that into consideration, Clark is likely to see his shooting percentages drop with less volume at the NBA level. His ability to pour in points from the perimeter will still be his calling card, but he needs to refine the complimentary aspects of his game (averaging 1 assist per game won’t suffice). Committing to defense and improving his ball handling would give Clark the best chance of sticking in the NBA. His shot making ability is impressive and worth examining, but scoring within the confines of the NBA game is entirely different from having autonomy in college.

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Offense

Strengths

• Scoring/Shot Making. Any evaluation of Clark begins with his shot creating, and shot making, ability. He was simply a prolific shooter and scorer at Oklahoma. 65% of his half-court attempts were of the jump shot variety, where he converted a solid 45% from the field and produced 1.07 points per attempt. He converted 50% with his feet set, an excellent 41% off the dribble, 53% from mid-range and 43% from three-point. The list goes on…

On the college level, Clark was able to create and convert his own shot, either open or with defenders draped on him. He made difficult shots look easy. He’s on the NBA Draft radar because of his scoring—specifically, his shooting ability. He’s a pull-up off the dribble, contested shooter (67% of attempts), more so than a catch-and-shoot player. However you slice it, though, Clark is a prolific shot maker from all three levels. The question now becomes whether his shot making can translate to the NBA.

He’s not a great vertical athlete, is an average defender, and a decent rebounder.

Scoring off the dribble is where Clark makes his impact.

Shooting Ability

Short-and-Mid Range Jumpers

3-Point Shooting

Pull-Up Jumper

Shooting off Screens

Isolation (44% FG, .99 PPP)

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• Wing Rebounding. Clark does a good job using his length to corral rebounds, particularly defensively (4.2 DRPG). He can use his length to grab a defensive rebound and start the fast break going the other way.

That being said, though, Clark’s skinny frame (210 pounds) hinders his rebounding, particularly offensively. There’s a reason he shot 8-23 on put-backs attempts this season; in short, he doesn’t have the strength or vertical athleticism to finish through traffic. His lack of strength/athleticism is evidenced by his stats around the basket (.97 PPP), and also getting bullied on the offensive glass. Good rebounder, but nothing special considering his 6-6 size.

Defensive Rebounding

Offensive Rebounding

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Weaknesses / Areas of Improvement

• Driving/Finishing Struggles. As mentioned, although he’s 6-6 and lengthy, Clark is a limited athlete, with average explosiveness and touch. Consequently, only 25% of his half-court attempts this season came “around the basket,” where he produced a below average .97 points per attempt. He’s not a dunker—strictly layups. Will this work in the NBA? Can he make it as simply a “3 and D” type of player?

Finishing Struggles

Runner Misses (4-15 this year)

Gets Blocked (average athleticism)

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• Frantic Shooting / Bad Shot Selection (inevitable, really). This is a subtle—and thus, maybe superfluous—observation, but Clark often takes ill-advised shots in the half-court. He jacks up shots early in possessions. Additionally, he struggles to attack hard close-outs; instead of driving strong to the basket, he will hesitate for a split-second, and then jack up an awkward shot.

Again, this is subtle/maybe unnecessary, but I think it’s telling. He’s totally reliant on his jump shot, to the point that he’ll dribble around for 20 seconds in hopes that a jumper will open up. I understand perimeter shooting was Clark’s role in college, but there’s something to be said for making the correct “basketball play.”

Hesitates / Rushed Form

Poor Shot Selection

Doesn’t Attack Close-Outs

Settles for jump shots instead of attacking.

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Defense

• Decent perimeter defender, but nothing special in my opinion. Can read the passing lanes well (1 SPG).

• Gets beat on drives