Summer League standout Ian Clark signs with Jazz

Mar 20, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Belmont Bruins guard Ian Clark (21) smiles as he answers a question during the press conference the day before the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

33-point performances aren’t the same in the Las Vegas Summer League as they are during a regular season NBA game. That point isn’t up for discussion, but at any rate, 33 points against NBA-caliber competition anywhere is impressive, and it appears that a 33-point showing, coupled with strong play elsewhere, has reportedly (according to USA Today’s Jeff Zilligtt belowe) netted Ian Clark an NBA contract.

Summer League star Ian Clark signs a two-year deal with the Utah Jazz, his agent Bill Duffy tells USA TODAY Sports. Team option on year two.
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) July 24, 2013

News of an NBA deal for Ian Clark isn’t shocking, but it is a tremendous story. The undrafted guard from Belmont played out of his mind during Summer League in both Las Vegas and Orlando, and the aforementioned 33-point showing came in the finals of the 1st annual “tournament” in Vegas. Although he starred for the Golden State summer team, Clark had no defined ties to the Warriors, and with that, the Jazz swept in and inked the 6-foot-3 combo guard.

Clark averaged 18.4 points as a senior at Belmont and was the co-conference player of the year. With that, his pedigree is solid, and he displayed all sorts of NBA-level skill throughout the past couple of weeks. The path to playing time in Utah’s backcourt is also wide open at the moment, with only rookie Trey Burke assured of regular run. Clark may not make an imprint as a rookie, but the fact that he’s on an NBA roster at all is a testament to his performance, and I wish him the best of luck.

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