Thunder select Brandon Clarke with No. 21 pick, reportedly for Grizzlies
With the No. 21 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder selected Gonzaga power forward Brandon Clarke. The pick will move to the Memphis Grizzlies with the Thunder acquiring the No. 23 pick and a 2024 second-round pick.
The junior transfer seemingly arrived out of nowhere to become a vital piece on a national championship contender. Clarke led all collegiate players with 117 blocks and finished third in the country with 3.1 blocks per contest during the regular season. The Canadian was a finalist for the Naismith Men's Defensive Player of the Year and earned third-team All-American honors.
Clarke's draft stock rose further after a breakout 36-point, eight-rebound, five-block, three-assist performance in the Bulldogs' second-round NCAA Tournament win over Baylor. In doing so, the 22-year-old joined Shaquille O'Neal and David Robinson as the only players to record at least 35 points and five rejections in one tournament game. Clarke scored 16.9 points per contest on a nation-leading 68.7 percent shooting from the field while adding a team-high 8.6 boards. At the very minimum, he'll be a high-energy player and solid defender at the next level.
Bio
Position: PF/C
School: Gonzaga
College Experience: Junior
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 210 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-8
Max vertical: 40.5 inches
Strengths
- He's got a relentless motor; shows a great second and third effort on the glass (4.4 offensive rebounds per 40 minutes).
- Runs the floor well in transition and can finish above the rim.
- His excellent defensive instincts allow him to guard multiple positions effectively and recover if beaten off the bounce.
- Has soft touch around the net.
- Elite rim-protector; makes up for his lack of size with his quick-leaping ability - tied for fourth-highest max vertical at the NBA combine - and timing.
Weaknesses
- Could have some problems defending physical, bruising centers when playing the five in small-ball lineups.
- Only attempted 24 triples in three collegiate seasons so spacing on offense might become an issue.
- He'll be 23 when the season tips off so he may develop less than other draftees who are three-to-four years younger.