Utah Jazz: Team Signs Summer League Star Ian Clark

As announced Wednesday by his agent, Ian Clark has agreed to a two-year deal with the Utah Jazz., with the team holding an option for the second year.

Clark is coming off a 33-point performance in the Las Vegas Summer League championship, in which he was name the game’s MVP and led the Golden State Warriors to the title. Clark went 12-for-19 from the field and 7-for-10 from beyond the 3-point line.

As reported, per David Locke’s Twitter account, Clark’s services induced a bidding war. The Jazz had to outbid his Summer League team, the Warriors, along with the Portland Trail Blazers, the Miami Heat, as well as European teams.

Clark is coming off a senior season at Belmont which included a trip to the NCAA tournament. Clark helped the Bruins win the Ohio Valley Conference title, but Belmont lost to the Arizona Wildcats in the NCAA tournament. Clark will remember Salt Lake City as that is where their tournament game was held. Clark led the way for the Bruins in that game with 21 points.

Clark’s senior season was a fantastic one, as he shot better than 53 percent from the field, better than 45 percent from 3 and better than 83 percent from the free-throw line en route to winning player of the year honors in the OVC. Clark was one of the NCAA’s most efficient scorers and led the NCAA in true shooting percentage.

As if his offensive game isn’t good enough for your liking, Clark was also named the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Clark’s signing brings the Utah Jazz roster to 13, which could mean that the Jazz are done with their offseason signings. So how does Clark fit in with the Jazz?

The starting unit for the Jazz could be Trey Burke at point guard, Alec Burks at the shooting guard, Gordon Hayward at small forward, Derrick Favors at power forward and Enes Kanter playing center.

The bench would then look like John Lucas III, Brandon Rush, Clark, Richard Jefferson, Marvin Williams, Jeremy Evans, Rudy Gobert and Andris Biedrins.

The Clark signing gives the Jazz three shooting guards. Clark is most definitely the No. 3 guy. Burks should get the start and, if healthy, Rush is an excellent backup. So why would the Jazz bring in a third shooting guard that won’t play? Here’s why…

Rush is a great player, however, he is injury prone. In college, he declared for the NBA draft, but then tore his ACL and returned to college. He tore his ACL again last season with the Warriors. He is coming off his ACL surgery and rehab, but is expected to be ready to play by opening night. If not, Clark becomes a guy who can come in off the bench and provide both scoring and defense.

Clark can be an instant energy guy off the bench if given the chance. Consider him this season’s DeMarre Carroll. If he is another Carroll, though, expect him to just play sporadically.