Recruiting Report: Garvin Clarke (2020)
Sometimes it’s really easy to recognize talent. At times, the best players just separate themselves from the jump. When it comes to 6’0” point guard, Garvin Clarke (2020), it’s very simple — he’s just the best guy every time we see him on the court.
The 15-year-old out of Euclid High School has been tearing up the scene this spring with the Rebels. Currently, Clarke is feeling himself to the point that he went to Atlanta last weekend for the EYBL, and dropped bucket after bucket there also.
Check out this box score from this weekend in Atlanta from NEO Shooting Stars 15u. I see you @GarvinClarke1 😳🚨 (via @ReeseLeone, thanks) pic.twitter.com/DpxY4njxHX
— Anthony Garcia (@nthonycgarcia) May 14, 2017
With it being the first of a few times Clarke will play with the NEO Shooting Stars, we wondered if he had to adjust his game to the competition. As it turns out, it was the same old Garvin Clarke in Atlanta.
“I mean, no. I didn’t have to change my game. I think I just had to slow the game down a little bit … Most of my teammates, they depend on me to bring the ball up the court and set the offense up. Basically, I always have the ball in my hands,” Clarke said.
The self-described “fast, strong floor general” also prides himself on the defensive side of the court.
“I play defense and offense. Basically, most scorers don’t play defense and I like to play both sides of the court,” Clarke said.
Upon questioning, Clarke told us that he believes the defensive side is more of a mentality.
In our observations, Clarke’s basketball intelligence separates him. The young point guard can play multiple paces, and does so accordingly based on time and score. Further separating him amongst Ohio’s best is his explosiveness, ambidextrous finishes, calmness, and creating/scoring off turnovers.
At the moment, Clarke clearly projects to be a Division I prospect. We’ve heard murmurs from those close to the situation that he’s been inquired about by some Division I schools, but are not able to disclose any particular school names.
“Basically, off-the-court I want to become a better person. Then, on-the-court just become better at everything,” Clarke simply said, when asked what he’ll eventually be looking for in a school.
While it would not be surprising for Clarke to receive an offer by summer’s end, these programs will want to see growth regardless. As far as Clarke is concerned, the three-point shot needs attention more than anything.
As time goes on, Clarke, a 3.2 GPA student, will continue grabbing headlines with his play — which is pretty on-line with his overall goals, as it relates to basketball.
“I think about college. I want to go to college, basically. But I want to be remembered too … I want to be remembered by everybody.”