• Complete Utah Jazz Release
SALT LAKE CITY - Former Belmont University men's basketball standout
Ian Clark was formally introduced as a member of the Utah Jazz on Monday.
Clark signed a two-year contract, though terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
After a decorated Bruin career, which included a remarkable senior season that yielded All-America and OVC co-Player of the Year honors among others, Clark became an NBA Summer League sensation.
Showcasing his versatile all-court game and a poised, impactful presence on both ends, Clark culminated his scintillating summer with a 33-point performance in the Vegas Summer League Championship game for Golden State July 22.
As fate would have it, Clark returns to where his collegiate career came to an end - EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City. Belmont faced Arizona this past March in the 2013 NCAA Tournament Second Round.
The Memphis, Tenn. native graduated in May with a degree in business administration, completing a remarkable four years at Belmont. The 6-3 guard became Belmont's NCAA era career leader in points (1,920) and three-point field goals (340) in leading the Bruins to a third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and the program's highest NCAA Tournament seed (No. 11 vs. Arizona).
In 2013, Clark ranked among the NCAA leaders in three-point field goal percentage and three-point field goals per game en route to being named OVC co-Player of the Year, Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention, Lefty Driesell Defensive All-America, Mid-Major All-America and Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Men's Basketball Player of the Year. Clark was also a candidate for the Naismith and Lou Henson National Player of the Year awards and finished third in the Hampton Hotels National 3-Point Championships during Final Four weekend.
In fact, noted statistician Ken Pomeroy rated Clark No. 2 nationally in true shooting percentage and No. 3 nationally in effective field goal percentage – measures which take two-point and three-point field goal attempts into consideration.
Clark finished his career as a four-time all-conference honoree and two-time conference defensive player of the year.
The OVC now has five players in the NBA entering the 2013-14 season.
Former OVC Players With NBA Contracts For 2013-14
Isaiah Canaan, Murray State (Houston Rockets)
Ian Clark, Belmont (Utah Jazz)
Robert Covington, Tennessee State (Houston Rockets)
Kenneth Faried, Morehead State (Denver Nuggets)
Kevin Murphy, Tennessee Tech (Golden State Warriors)