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(11-28-2017 04:41 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(11-28-2017 03:35 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  GarREE!

Quote:CINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati senior forward Gary Clark (Clayton, N.C./Clayton HS) had been named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week the league announced Monday.

Clark was named the most valuable player of the Cayman Islands Classic last week, leading to the Bearcats to three wins while averaging 16.3 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting 53.3 percent (16 of 30) from the floor and 87.5 percent (14 of 16) from the free throw line.

Clark registered his 20th career double-double with 24 points and a game-high 14 rebounds against Buffalo (11/20). He scored eight points and recorded a game-high eight rebounds and seven assists against Richmond (11/21). Clark scored UC's first 13 points against Wyoming (11/22) en route to leading the Bearcats to the tournament crown, finishing with 17 points and six rebounds in the title game.

The performance against Buffalo marked Clark's fifth career 20-point game and marked the eighth time he's grabbed 14 or more rebounds in a game during his career.

Clark leads 12th-ranked Cincinnati (6-0) with a team-best 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds.

Tabbed to The American's preseason second team by the league's coaches, Clark ranked third in the nation in career rebounds with 869 (through Nov. 22). He has been named to preseason watch lists for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, the Lute Olson Player of the Year award and the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year award.

A member of Cincinnati's 1,000-point club, Clark is on pace to finish his career ranked among the Top 5 players in school history in rebounds and blocks.

This marks the third time Clark has earned The American's Player of the Week honor in his career along with March 7, 2016 and Dec. 26, 2016.

Clark American Player of the Week

I was watching the game at my favorite watering hole up here in Morgantown. Guy sitting next to me at the bar says, "Gary Clark is still playing at Cincy? Hasn't he been there for like nine years?"

I think this year sets up potentially as huge for Gary. Some of those guys who become ubiquitous ("Man, hasn't he been there for nine years?") have great years and catapult themselves up in the draft. He's got all the tools to take the game over and run it from the floor.

The commentators for many of the games thus far have given him accolades (just deserved). This will amplify as UC continues to be ranked and have a successful year. His game-to-game consistency and career numbers are speaking for themselves.