Leon Clark (born June 11, 1943) is an American former basketball player. He played at Thornton Township High School in his hometown of Harvey, Illinois, and led his team to a second-place state finish in his junior season.[1] Clark played collegiately for the Wyoming Cowboys where he is considered one of the program's greatest players.[2] He played as an undersized center for the Cowboys and led the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in rebounding in 1965 and 1966.[2] Clark earned first-team All-WAC honors in his final two seasons. Clark finished his collegiate career as the Cowboys' all-time leader in rebounds with 889.[2][a]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 11, 1943 Harvey, Illinois, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Thornton Township (Harvey, Illinois) |
| College | Wyoming (1963–1966) |
| NBA draft | 1966: 2nd round, 18th overall pick |
| Selected by the Boston Celtics | |
| Position | Forward / center |
| Career history | |
| 1966–1967 | Hartford Capitols |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
Clark was selected by the Boston Celtics as the 18th overall pick of the 1966 NBA draft. He and his representative wrote a letter to Celtics general manager Red Auerbach asking for a two-year guaranteed deal worth $40,000. Auerbach read the letter aloud before he tore it up while negotiating the contract of fellow Celtics draft pick Jim Barnett, who received a much lower offer.[4] Clark spent the 1966 preseason with the Celtics and was considered a strong contender to make the final roster a month before the season began after he attempted to translate his playing position to a forward.[5] He was cut by the Celtics before the start of the 1966–67 season and ultimately never played a game in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Clark played for the Hartford Capitols of the Eastern Professional Basketball League during the 1966–67 season.[6] He also played professionally in Europe.[1]
Clark was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1974 and the University of Wyoming Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004.[1][7]
Notes
edit- ^ Clark had his record first surpassed by Fennis Dembo in 1988 and now ranks fifth.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Leon Clark". Basketball Museum of Illinois. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Leon Clark". Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ "2019-20 Wyoming Cowboys Basketball Media Guide". University of Wyoming. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ Letourneau, Connor (May 22, 2019). "Why Warriors' 5 straight Finals might be greatest team feat in NBA history". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ "Clark, Heyman Liven C's". Nashua Telegraph. September 14, 1966. p. 17. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ "Leon Clark". NASL Jerseys. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- ^ "Seven Individuals Inducted Into 12th Hall of Fame Class". University of Wyoming. February 14, 2004. Retrieved May 9, 2020.