Head Coach Kenny Payne continues to overhaul Louisville’s roster, and after a nightmarish first year in control it looks like he may have found his point guard of the future in Skyy Clark.
The former 5-star recruit committed to the Cards last week, just days after taking an official visit to campus.
Clark was a consensus top-50 recruit in high school and chose to attend the University of Illinois for his freshman year. The highly touted freshman guard began the year as the Illini’s starting point guard, starting the first 12 games of the year for Illinois and scoring in double figures in four of those games.
The highly touted guard struggled with shooting efficiency, defense, and turnovers, and, after the Illini’s third conference game of the year, Clark stepped away from the team for ‘personal reasons’.
At Illinois, he played in 13 total games and finished his freshman season averaging 7.0 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game, and 2.1 turnovers per game. He also shot 41% from the field and 33% from three.
It’s great to know the story and the numbers behind Skyy Clark’s turbulent freshman year, but what did his play look like while he was hooping in Champaign?
Keep scrolling to see the good and the bad from some of Clark’s toughest opponents, and hopefully this will give you a better idea of what Clark can bring to the Cardinals in 2023.
The Good
Now to the defensive end. Clark will definitely need some work on this end of the court, but this is solid play. He starts off a little lost and out of position, but he quickly realizes and switches on the screen and then helps force the turnover. pic.twitter.com/JilqX6W0Io
— UofL Sports News (@UofL_Updates) March 17, 2023
Though Clark isn't the strongest defender, I don't think any of that is due to lack of effort. Here, he gets on the ground for a loose ball, pops back up, and then SPRINTS to the open man with the ball. His hustle turned a wide open look into an easy defensive stop for the Illini pic.twitter.com/vP2PaTRegj
— UofL Sports News (@UofL_Updates) March 17, 2023
Clark may have his struggles on the defensive side of the ball, but it's almost never due to effort. Clark gets switched onto Jaime Jaquez, but he does a great job keeping him out of the paint. And, even when Jaquez does get it, Clark does a great job forcing a tough look. pic.twitter.com/jgJKVLM2Gv
— UofL Sports News (@UofL_Updates) March 17, 2023
Clark does sometimes struggle getting past other guards, but not here. A quick cross gets him in the lane, and then he has the NASTIEST finish. Clark has a wide variety of moves inside the paint, especially when he goes off two feet. pic.twitter.com/gy9sU9tPmO
— UofL Sports News (@UofL_Updates) March 17, 2023
Last one from the UVA game. It's another late 3 for Clark, but it shows his range and shot making ability. I really wish he was more aggressive as a jump shooter, and I wish Illinois did a better job of using his strengths, cause I don't think he was getting enough outside looks. pic.twitter.com/Jd0hzxl6jE
— UofL Sports News (@UofL_Updates) March 17, 2023