Jaylen Clark is a 6-5 Junior wing from UCLA. He played in 90 career games and is considered one of the best on-ball defenders in college basketball. He is one of many UCLA players leaving for the draft, including Jaime Jaquez Jr, Tyger Campbell, and Amari Bailey.
Many were surprised that Clark did not withdraw from the draft, as NIL opportunities awaited him for his Senior year. However, he decided to stay put and offer up his talents to the next level.
Jaylen Clark 2023 NBA Draft Profile
College Career
In his Freshman season, Clark averaged 9 minutes a game and 2.9 PPG. In his second year, he started six of 29 games, went for 6.7 PPG, and earned himself a spot on the All-Pac-12 Defensive team. He finished his Sophomore year with 33 steals and five blocks. In his Junior season in 2023, Clark stepped up his game tremendously. He saw action in 30 games, making 29 starts. Clark averaged 13.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and a Pac-12-leading 2.6 steals per game.
He was honored as the Naismith Men’s Defensive Player of the Year and was recognized as the NABC Defensive Player of the Year. Clark injured his Achilles tendon at the end of the 2023 season, preventing him from participating in the NCAA Tournament.
Strengths
He is hands down one of the smartest defenders in all of college basketball–and in the draft. He reads passes like he has telepathy, pokes the ball out without fouling, is fantastic on switches, and plays excellent help defense. On the ball, he shuffles his feet rapidly and always keeps his chest in front of the ball handler. He is aggressive and is not afraid to take bumps when driven on. Clark does this without fouling, only averaging two fouls per game in 2023. That is very minuscule, considering how often he goes in for a steal. When the lane isn’t there–which it usually isn’t versus Clark–many guards fall into the trap of pulling up for a jumper. Clark always seems to get a hand in the face of the shooter, no matter their size.
Clark’s off-ball defense is another strong suit. Most of his steals came when he drifted off his man and snuck up to an unexpecting player with the ball. Once again, Clark does this without fouling, setting himself apart from the rest. He is unbelievable at getting through screens to break up a pass– usually turning into a breakaway basket.
On offense, Clark excels in finishing. He finished 67.4% of shots at the rim and moves very well without the ball. Clark likes to drive to his left and has a slick floater he utilizes often.
Weaknesses
Clark’s shooting consistency is definitely a concern for NBA GMs. He shot a wearisome 27.4% over his final 13 games before getting injured. The Junior only made 25 catch-and-shoot attempts in 30 games played. For a guard of his size and stature, this number should be at least 35. On dribble jumpers, Clark was 6-22 this past year. He can be very predictable when driving to the rim, as his tendency to drive left is widely known.
Clark’s athleticism is another worry. He had zero dunks in half-court this season and may be a bit undersized for his position on the wing. Defenses can throw a big on him without worrying about a significant mismatch.
NBA Player Comparison
Matisse Thybulle. Arguably one of the best defenders in the game. Both Thybulle and Clark struggle offensively and shine defensively. Thybulle averaged 1.2 SPG and posted a career-high defensive rating of 116 with the Blazers. Clark and Thybulle contribute points on defense at an exceptional rate, with their respective DBPMs (Defensive Box Plus/Minus) at 5.5 and 3.6. Their fervor for disrupting offenses is synonymous.
NBA Draft Projection
Mid second round
