Earl Clark: "I'm Going To Be a Real Special Player in the NBA"

Have you had any workouts for any teams so far?
No. I’m going to start working out after the combine. I’ve just been working out in Florida with IMG and in L.A. at the 360 club.

 

How has working out at IMG with other great players helped your game?

It’s helped me a lot getting in shape. Coach Thorpe definitely pushes us to a limit you think you can’t go to. He always talks about building the inner beast, and that’s what he does at IMG. He pushes you so hard that you take your game to another level.

 

What are your expectations here in Chicago at the combine?

My expectations are to show people the person that Earl Clark really is. I just want to open up more and let more people inside the person I am. I’m really a guy that keeps to myself so there’s a lot of people that think they know me but don't really. I’m just here ready to talk to these GMs, show them what type of person I am, and just have fun because it’s an honor to be here.

 

What kind of NBA player do you expect to be?
I can bring a lot to a team to help offensively as far as getting my teammates involved, rebounding, and defending. I think I can play multiple positions. I think I bring a lot to the table that some of these other guys in the draft can’t bring, so I think I’m going to be a real special player in the NBA.

 

On the competition growing up in the tri-state area:

You were just battling with everybody, and you become better and took your game to another level. It’s an honor to be here. I want to represent the New York and New Jersey area to the fullest. I’m going to come here and just try to do what we do and play hard-nosed basketball.

 

When did you start thinking you could make a career out of this?
I always had a dream since I was five years old. A lot of people told me I was nuts. All my teachers used to tell me that every kid that comes here wants to be an NBA player and you’re just another kid. You need something to fall back on. I just stuck with it. I always believed no matter what people told me. I knew one day I was always going to be here. It’s just a blessing to be here, and to accomplish all the things that I have done.

NBA Pre-draft Combine Results

Height w/o shoes: 6' 8.5"
Height w/ shoes: 6' 10.25"
Weight: 228
Wingspan: 7' 2.5"
Standing Reach: 9' 1.5"
Body Fat: 5.2 percent
No Step Vert. 28.5
Max Vert. 33.0
Bench Press: 5
Lane Agility: 11.17
3/4 Court Sprint: 3.35 sec.