Recruiting report: Cameron Clark (2017)
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — One of the most versatile players in the 2017 class, Free State forward Cameron Clark is off to a strong start to his senior season. At 6’7, Clark is able to post up and play in…
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Continue ReadingOVERLAND PARK, Kan. — One of the most versatile players in the 2017 class, Free State forward Cameron Clark is off to a strong start to his senior season.
At 6’7, Clark is able to post up and play in the paint, but is also skilled enough to step away from the basket and while he’s more comfortable attacking the defense off the bounce than shooting 3-pointers, Clark is able to play a stretch 4 and spread out the defense with his perimeter game.
He spent the offseason competing with SSA Elite on the grassroots circuit and also worked out with trainer Travis Washington.
“My main focus was to get exposure and show coaches what I can do,” he said. “On the other hand was getting better on big/guard moves with Washington. He put me through a lot of drills that would help me in gam
e situations.”
Clark said the biggest influence on his basketball career has been Free State head coach Sam Stoh.
“I’m really grateful to have Stroh as my coach because not only does he teach us basketball he gives us good advice that we all as a team really take to heart and we learn a lot from him,” Clark said.
Free State started the season 6-4 and while talented, is still looking to find its way. The squad went 1-2 at the Saint Thomas Aquinas Tournament last weekend, losing a pair of buzzer beaters and Clark said the Firebirds are trying to put those tough losses behind them.
“Our team this year is still trying to find who we are and also find out if we are pretenders or contenders,” Clark said. “We are 6-4 going into league and we have been busting our butts off trying to brush off losing off of buzzer beaters but we played our butts off but fell short.
“We really hope to go into to league 12-0 but we gotta start 1-0 first so yeah we just have the mindset that every time we step on the court we mean business.”
Clark said he is looking forward to a rematch against crosstown rival Lawrence on Feb. 24. Lawrence won the first match-up in December, 61-57.
“I really am looking forward to playing LHS again because we as a team played a really bad game, especially me, but we got a different killer mindset now and we got a special treat for them.” he said. “So yeah, I’m really looking forward to playing the again on February 24.”
Clark said his mother has been a big part of his success on the basketball court throughout his career.
“She is my biggest fan and she’s been to every single game ever since I was like 5,” Clark said. “She just always there for me putting me in different basketball camps and just being the world’s greatest basketball mom.”
Clark said he is a fan of the Spurs LaMarcus Aldridge, who is a standout stretch 4 in the NBA.
“He kinda plays the same position I don’t like that stretch forward like he’ll post up but he can still work you from outside and he can shoot the 3,” he said. “I really like watching him do his own little work out cause then I take them and try to work on it and mix it in with my game.”
Clark currently holds an offer from NAIA Evangel in Springfield, Mo., and has talked to both Sterling College and Newman University.