Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jordan Clarkson

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jordan Clarkson made an impact.

Jordan Clarkson is an American and Filipino professional basketball player currently with the New York Knicks. He played college basketball at Tulsa and Missouri before being drafted into the NBA by the Washington Wizards (later traded to the Los Angeles Lakers) in 2014. Clarkson was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team as a Laker. He played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Utah Jazz before joining the Knicks. Notably, he and Jeremy Lin were the first Asian-American starting backcourt in NBA history. In 2021, while on the Jazz, Clarkson was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year, solidifying his reputation as a key player coming off the bench.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

November 11, 2009: Signed National Letter of Intent with Tulsa

On November 11, 2009, Jordan Clarkson signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball at the University of Tulsa.

2011: Talks to Play for Philippine National Team

In 2011, talks were initiated for Jordan Clarkson to play for the Philippine national team, also known as Gilas.

May 2012: Transferred to Missouri

In May 2012, Jordan Clarkson transferred to the University of Missouri and subsequently sat out the 2012–13 season due to NCAA transfer rules.

March 31, 2014: Declared for NBA Draft

On March 31, 2014, Jordan Clarkson declared for the NBA draft, foregoing his final year of college eligibility.

June 26, 2014: Drafted by the Washington Wizards and Traded to the Lakers

On June 26, 2014, Jordan Clarkson was selected with the 46th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards. He was later traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on draft night for cash considerations.

August 25, 2014: Signed with the Lakers

On August 25, 2014, Jordan Clarkson officially signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.

2014: NBA Draft Selection and Trade to the Lakers

In 2014, Jordan Clarkson entered the NBA draft and was selected by the Washington Wizards. He was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

March 24, 2015: First Asian-American Starting Backcourt in NBA History

On March 24, 2015, Jordan Clarkson, along with Jeremy Lin, became the first Asian-American starting backcourt in NBA history.

August 2015: Visited the Philippines

In August 2015, Jordan Clarkson visited the Philippines to observe the training of Gilas and fulfill commitments as an endorser of Smart Communications.

November 3, 2015: Career-High-Tying 30 Points

On November 3, 2015, Jordan Clarkson scored a career-high-tying 30 points in a game against the Denver Nuggets.

February 12, 2016: Rising Stars Challenge

On February 12, 2016, Jordan Clarkson played for Team USA in the Rising Stars Challenge, recording 25 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals in a win over Team World.

July 7, 2016: Re-signed with the Lakers

On July 7, 2016, Jordan Clarkson re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year, $50 million contract.

October 26, 2016: Team-High 25 Points in Season Opener

On October 26, 2016, in the Lakers' season opener, Jordan Clarkson scored a team-high 25 points off the bench in a win against the Houston Rockets.

November 15, 2016: Career-High Five Steals

On November 15, 2016, Jordan Clarkson recorded a career-high five steals in a win over the Brooklyn Nets.

2016: Included in 17-man pool for Philippines Lineup

In 2016, Jordan Clarkson was initially included in the 17-man pool for the Philippines lineup for the final Olympic Qualifying Tournament for the Rio Olympics, but he was not selected due to time constraints and eligibility process complications.

March 12, 2017: Career High Tying 30 Points

On March 12, 2017, Jordan Clarkson tied his career high with 30 points off the bench in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

March 24, 2017: Career Highs of 35 points and 8 3-pointers

On March 24, 2017, Jordan Clarkson achieved career highs of 35 points and eight 3-pointers in an overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

November 13, 2017: Season-High 25 Points

On November 13, 2017, Jordan Clarkson scored a season-high 25 points off the bench in a win over the Phoenix Suns.

January 19, 2018: New Season High with 33 Points

On January 19, 2018, Jordan Clarkson set a new season high with 33 points in a win over the Indiana Pacers.

February 8, 2018: Traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers

On February 8, 2018, Jordan Clarkson, along with Larry Nance Jr., was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Frye and a 2018 first-round draft pick.

August 2018: NBA Cleared Clarkson to play for Philippine National Team

In August 2018, the NBA cleared Jordan Clarkson to play for the Philippine national team in the 2018 Asian Games with a one-time exception.

September 2, 2018: Asian Games

From August 18 to September 2, 2018, Jordan Clarkson played for the Philippines in the 2018 Asian Games, leading the team to a fifth-place finish.

December 12, 2018: 28 Points against New York Knicks

On December 12, 2018, Jordan Clarkson scored 28 points in a 113–106 win over the New York Knicks.

2018: Trade to the Cavaliers

In 2018, Jordan Clarkson was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

February 13, 2019: Career High 42 points against Brooklyn Nets

On February 13, 2019, Jordan Clarkson scored a career-high 42 points in a 148–139 triple-overtime loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

December 2019: Trade to the Jazz

In December 2019, Jordan Clarkson was traded to the Utah Jazz.

December 24, 2019: Traded to the Utah Jazz

On December 24, 2019, Jordan Clarkson was traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Dante Exum and two future second-round draft picks.

January 30, 2020: Season High 37 points against Denver Nuggets

On January 30, 2020, Jordan Clarkson scored a season-high 37 points in a 100–106 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

November 21, 2020: Re-signed with the Jazz

On November 21, 2020, Jordan Clarkson re-signed with the Utah Jazz on a four-year, $52 million contract.

February 15, 2021: Season High 40 points against Philadelphia 76ers

On February 15, 2021, Jordan Clarkson scored a season-high 40 points in a 134–123 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

October 28, 2021: Played in Houston Rockets' Filipino Heritage Night

On October 28, 2021, Jordan Clarkson and Jalen Green became the first two players of Filipino descent to play in the same NBA game in time for the Houston Rockets' Filipino Heritage Night celebration.

2021: NBA Sixth Man of the Year

In 2021, Jordan Clarkson was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year.

March 12, 2022: Career High 45 points

On March 12, 2022, Jordan Clarkson scored a career-high 45 points in a 134–125 win against the Sacramento Kings.

August 2022: Accepted as Naturalized Player for Asian Qualifiers

In August 2022, the SBP announced that they have accepted Jordan Clarkson as a naturalized player for the fourth window of the 2023 World Cup Asian qualifiers and future FIBA tournaments.

August 25, 2022: FIBA Debut

On August 25, 2022, Jordan Clarkson made his FIBA debut and scored 27 points in a loss against Lebanon in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

December 15, 2022: Led Jazz to Overtime Victory

On December 15, 2022, Jordan Clarkson led the Jazz to a 132–129 overtime victory over the New Orleans Pelicans with a game-leading 39 points and 8 rebounds.

January 14, 2023: Scored 38 Points Against Philadelphia 76ers

On January 14, 2023, Jordan Clarkson scored 38 points and grabbed 9 rebounds during a 118–117 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

July 7, 2023: Signed Contract Extension with Jazz

On July 7, 2023, Jordan Clarkson signed a contract extension with the Jazz.

2023: Participated in the 2023 FIBA World Cup

In 2023, Jordan Clarkson was included in the 21-man pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup and eventually played in 5 games, averaging 26.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists for the Philippines.

2023: 2023 World Cup Asian qualifiers

In August 2022, Jordan Clarkson was accepted as a naturalized player for the fourth window of the 2023 World Cup Asian qualifiers.

January 1, 2024: Recorded First Career Triple Double

On January 1, 2024, Jordan Clarkson recorded his first career triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 127–90 win over the Dallas Mavericks.