Prospect Spotlight: Hugo Clarkin (2020)
In 2009 Tesoro High School captured the CIF SS Championship led by 6-foot-9 Chris Manresa who later starred at University of San Diego. Well it appears Tesoro has another big man on the rise in 6-foot-10 sophomore Hugo Clarkin.
Clarkin, who is originally from England, started playing basketball around three years ago, but his progress has been steady. “I feel I’ve gotten stronger on the block, moving more fluidly in transition, and have gotten a bit more bouncy.”
Who has he attributed his growth to in his game?
There are a couple of names were mentioned while talking with him at El Camino College. “Chris (Manresa) and Coach Steve Garrett have been instrumental in my development”, explains Clarkin. “I love my coaching staff at Tesoro.”
The progression has been impressive since the first time I witnessed Clarkin during the spring, but like with most young “bigs” there is much room for growth.
Going forward there are areas of Clarkin’s game that need attention. As he matures he’ll gain weight and develop a stronger leverage on the block. In addition, he needs to be more assertive while rebounding and finishing through contact.
Although he has a ways to go before his potential is reached, that hasn’t stopped UC Irvine and Loyola Marymount from following his progress.
Like Clarkin. Tesoro is quite young and inexperienced as well. “We have four sophomores on the varsity, including myself, that will get significant minutes—it will definitely be a developing season.
Not too mention with the coaching he’ll be receiving under coach Manresa, Garrett, and the West Coast Elite staff, Clarkin’s future as well as Tesoro’s program looks promising.