Just one year ago, Jordan Clarkson was the new guy — a 46th overall draft pick preparing for his first taste of the NBA Summer League. Now, he is a member of the All-Rookie First Team and getting set to lead his squad in this year’s tournament in Las Vegas.
Clarkson never left the bench for more than half of the Lakers’ first 40 games last season, but a few months later he was averaging 20.2 points and 6.5 assists in L.A.’s final 13 contests. Summer League head coach Mark Madsen sees this leap as a testament to Clarkson’s will.