Brandon Clarke Steps Into Bigger Role Early In Season

In his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Brandon Clarke averaged 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and shot 35.9% from three-point range. He will likely take on a lot of the minutes that Jaren Jackson Jr. leaves on the floor for Memphis at the beginning of the year and entering his second season, could be primed to breakout and be that third reliable option for the Grizzlies. 

The Grizzlies drafted Clarke 21st overall in the 2019 NBA Draft with the hopes that he could play next to Jaren Jackson Jr. on the court and he will finally get his chance to prove his worth early on this upcoming season. His offensive abilities are definitely something for Grizzlies’ fans to be excited about, but it is his defensive abilities that have the coaching staff and management so excited. 

In one season at Gonzaga two years ago, Bradon Clarke averaged 3.2 blocks per game and was one of the best shot-blockers in college basketball during the 2018-19 season. He played in 58 games for Memphis last season and was not as good as a shot-blocker, only averaging 0.8 blocks per game, but did not get a lot of chances to be an interior defender. 

Jae Crowder, Jaren Jackson Jr, Jonas Valanciunus and Solomon Hill took a lot of minutes away from Clarke last season, but with both Crowder and Hill no longer with the Grizzlies and Jaren Jackson Jr. out to begin the season, Brandon Clarke could be the second-best player on the court for the Grizzlies to start the year and be the x-factor for them in his second-year in the league. 

Definitely keep an eye on Brandon Clarke early on in the 2020-21 NBA season and expect to see him fill up the stat sheets for the Grizzlies as he looks to solidify himself as one of Memphis’ core players moving forward.