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-Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the New York Knicks in the NBA. He played college basketball at Tulsa and Missouri before being drafted by the Washington Wizards (later traded to the Lakers) in the 2014 NBA draft. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team while playing for the Lakers. Clarkson was traded to the Cavaliers in 2018, then to the Jazz in 2019. Notably, he and Jeremy Lin formed the first Asian-American starting backcourt in NBA history in 2015. In 2021, while with the Jazz, Clarkson earned the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, solidifying his role as a valuable player.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

November 11, 2009: Signed 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 Initiated for Philippine National Team

In 2011, talks were initiated for Jordan Clarkson to play for the Philippine national team, also known as Gilas; however, he did not meet FIBA eligibility requirements at the time.

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: Selected in NBA Draft and Traded to Lakers

On June 26, 2014, Jordan Clarkson was selected with the 46th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards, then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

August 25, 2014: Signed with the Lakers

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

2014: Drafted by the Washington Wizards

In 2014, Jordan Clarkson was drafted by the Washington Wizards in the second round with the 46th overall pick, later traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

March 24, 2015: First Asian-American Starting Backcourt

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 to observe Gilas Training

In August 2015, Jordan Clarkson visited the Philippines to observe the training of Gilas, the Philippine national team, while also fulfilling endorsements with Smart Communications.

November 3, 2015: Scored 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: Played in 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.

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: Scored 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: Recorded Career-High Five Steals

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

2016: Olympic Qualifying Tournament

Jordan Clarkson was initially included in the 17-man pool for the Philippines lineup for the final Olympic Qualifying Tournament for the 2016 Rio Olympics, but was unable to participate.

March 12, 2017: Tied Career High with 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: Scored Career Highs in Points and 3-Pointers

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

November 13, 2017: Scored Season-High 25 Points

On November 13, 2017, Jordan Clarkson scored a season-high 25 points in 26 minutes off the bench in a win over the Phoenix Suns.

January 19, 2018: Set 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 was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers along with Larry Nance Jr.

August 2018: NBA Clears 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

Jordan Clarkson played in the Asian Games for the Philippine national team. The team achieved its best finish in 16 years.

December 12, 2018: Scored 28 Points

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

2018: Traded to the Cavaliers

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

February 13, 2019: Scored Career-High 42 Points

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

December 2019: Traded 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.

January 30, 2020: Scored Season-High 37 Points

On January 30, 2020, Jordan Clarkson scored a season-high 37 points in a 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: Scored Season-High 40 Points

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

October 28, 2021: Played in Game Celebrating Filipino Heritage

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

March 12, 2022: Scored Career-High 45 Points

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

August 2022: Accepted as Naturalized Player

In August 2022, 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: Made 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 Victory over Pelicans

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 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 the Jazz

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

2023: Played in FIBA World Cup

In 2023, Jordan Clarkson played in the FIBA World Cup, averaging 26.0 points in 5 games for the Philippines.

2023: World Cup Asian qualifiers

Jordan Clarkson was accepted as a naturalized player for 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.