Player To Watch: Keynion Clark (2020) Idaho Falls High School
With the 2019-20 high school basketball season underway, Keynion Clark and the Idaho Falls Tigers are set to defend their State Championship. Last year the Tigers got the lone bid to state from their conference and beat Twin Falls and…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2019-20 high school basketball season underway, Keynion Clark and the Idaho Falls Tigers are set to defend their State Championship. Last year the Tigers got the lone bid to state from their conference and beat Twin Falls and Vallivue to get to the State Championship game. There they faced defending State Champion Preston who was looking for their 4th State Championship in a row. Clark and his Idaho Falls teammates beat Preston in overtime to win their first State Championship since 1988.
So far Clark and his teammates are off to a good start defending their championship going 4-1 in their first five games of the season. Clark is off to a great start averaging 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Clark is also shooting 70% from the free throw line.
Photo Courtesy of Keynion ClarkThis past summer Clark spent 2 hours a day in the gym with current college players Jared Stutsman of Idaho State, JJ Eli of Westminster, Telly Davenport of Utah Valley, and former BYU player McKay Cannon. “We played ball every day from 11:30-1:30 everyday. I think this helped me develop as much as anything.”
At 6’6″ 205 lbs Clark has good size and is athletic enough to play multiple spots on the floor. “I would describe my game as pretty versatile. I can play in the post, I can create my own shot, and I am good in transition.”
Clark and his dad spend countless hours in the local rec center working on his game. “I’ve spent a lot of time working on my 3 point shot. With the offense we run I don’t get a lot of opportunities to shoot the 3 but I am still working on getting better at it.”
Over the years Clark has played in tournaments in Ogden Utah and the Big Mountain Jam in Salt Lake City. Traveling to those tournaments has provided Clark the opportunity to meet kids from other teams. “I think AAU is a little less structured which has taught me how to get up and down the floor. I think I have a pretty unique skill set in the open floor.”
One of the greatest benefits of playing basketball is the lessons it teaches those who play. “Basketball has helped me learn how to work with teammates and become more compatible. I love the peace of playing and the competitive nature of the game.”
Clark hopes to play basketball at the next level. “I have been in contact with some NWACC schools and have been in contact with CSI and SLCC.”