Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jordan Clarkson

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

Jordan Clarkson is a professional basketball player in the NBA currently playing for the Utah Jazz. He played college basketball at Tulsa and Missouri, earning all-conference honors. Drafted into the NBA in 2014 by the Washington Wizards and immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, he earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. He was later traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers before joining the Jazz in 2019. Clarkson, alongside Jeremy Lin, made history as the first Asian-American starting backcourt in the NBA in 2015. In 2021, he received the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.

Sections (3)

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 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, however, Clarkson did not meet the FIBA eligibility requirements.

May 2012: Transfer to Missouri

In May 2012, Jordan Clarkson transferred to 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 Wizards and Traded to Lakers

On June 26, 2014, Jordan Clarkson was selected with the 46th overall pick in the NBA draft by the Washington Wizards and was later 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: NBA Draft and Trade to Lakers

In 2014, Jordan Clarkson entered the NBA draft, forgoing his senior year in college. He was selected by the Washington Wizards in the second round and immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

March 24, 2015: First Asian-American Starting Backcourt

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

August 2015: Visit to 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.

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.

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.

2016: Olympic Qualifying Tournament

In 2016, Jordan Clarkson was included in the 17-man pool for the Philippines lineup for the final Olympic Qualifying Tournament but was replaced by Andray Blatche.

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, marking his first time playing for the Philippines.

September 2, 2018: Asian Games

September 2, 2018, Jordan Clarkson was part of the Asian Games where the team bowed out of a podium finish.

2018: Trade to the Cavaliers

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

December 2019: Trade to the Utah Jazz

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

December 24, 2019: Traded to the Utah Jazz

On December 24, 2019, Jordan Clarkson was traded to the Utah Jazz.

November 21, 2020: Re-signed with the Jazz

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

October 28, 2021: Filipino Heritage Night NBA Game

On October 28, 2021, Jordan Clarkson and Jalen Green became the first two players of Filipino descent to play in the same NBA game.

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: 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.

July 7, 2023: Contract Extension with Jazz

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

2023: FIBA World Cup

In 2023, Jordan Clarkson was included in the final 12-man lineup as the team's naturalized player for the FIBA World Cup, where he averaged 26.0 points per game.