Jordan Clarkson Bio
Jordan Taylor Clarkson is an American and Filipino professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for two seasons with the Tulsa Golden Hurricane before transferring to the University of Missouri, where he earned second-team all-conference honors in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). After forgoing his senior year in college to enter the 2014 NBA draft, Clarkson was selected by the Washington Wizards in the second round with the 46th overall pick and was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Clarkson was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018 and later to the Utah Jazz in 2019. On March 24, 2015, Clarkson, alongside Jeremy Lin, became the first Asian-American starting backcourt in NBA history. In 2021, Clarkson was honored as the NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
Early Life and Background
Jordan Taylor Clarkson was born on June 7, 1992, in Tampa, Florida, to Mike Clarkson and Annette Tullao Davis. His father is African-American, while his mother has Filipino ancestry. Both parents served in the United States Air Force and divorced when Clarkson was young. He moved to San Antonio, Texas, around the age of six. Clarkson attended Karen J. Wagner High School in San Antonio, where he began to excel in basketball. As a sophomore, he averaged 10 points per game and earned honorable mention all-district accolades. By his junior year, his scoring average increased to 20 points per game, leading his team to a 32–8 record and a semi-final appearance in the state championship.
Clarkson signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball at the University of Tulsa on November 11, 2009. During his senior year in high school, he averaged 18.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, earning the title of San Antonio High School Player of the Year.
Path to Basketball
Clarkson began his collegiate career at the University of Tulsa, where he was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team in his first season. He averaged 11.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. In his sophomore season, he earned first-team All-Conference USA honors, averaging 16.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. After two seasons at Tulsa, Clarkson transferred to the University of Missouri, where he sat out the 2012–13 season due to NCAA transfer rules. In his junior season, he was named to the All-SEC second team and averaged 17.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.
After declaring for the NBA draft in March 2014, Clarkson was selected by the Washington Wizards and was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. His rookie season was marked by significant achievements, including being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Jordan Clarkson Career
Early Career (2014–2018)
Clarkson’s professional career began with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he quickly made an impact. He started 38 games during his rookie season, averaging 15.8 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.2 rebounds. His performance earned him a place on the NBA All-Rookie First Team, a notable achievement for a second-round draft pick. Clarkson’s popularity surged in the Philippines due to his heritage, and he garnered a significant fan base.
In his second season, Clarkson continued to improve, scoring a career-high 30 points in a game against the Denver Nuggets. He also participated in the Rising Stars Challenge during the NBA All-Star Weekend, showcasing his talent on a larger stage. On July 7, 2016, he re-signed with the Lakers on a four-year, $50 million contract, solidifying his role within the team.
Breakthrough (2019–2025)
In February 2018, Clarkson was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he made an immediate impact by scoring 17 points in his debut. The Cavaliers reached the 2018 NBA Finals, although they were defeated by the Golden State Warriors. Clarkson’s time with the Cavaliers was marked by several standout performances, including a career-high 42 points in a triple-overtime game against the Brooklyn Nets.
In December 2019, Clarkson was traded to the Utah Jazz, where he continued to excel. He re-signed with the Jazz in November 2020 on a four-year, $52 million contract. During the 2020–21 season, Clarkson averaged a career-high 18.4 points per game and led the NBA with 203 three-pointers off the bench, earning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. He became the first player from the Utah Jazz to receive this honor.
On July 7, 2025, Clarkson signed with the New York Knicks, marking the next chapter in his professional career.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Jordan Clarkson has achieved significant milestones, including being named the NBA Cup champion in 2025 and receiving the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2021. His contributions to the game have made him a prominent figure in the NBA.
Jordan Clarkson Award Nominations
Jordan Clarkson has received several nominations throughout his career, highlighting his impact on the game of basketball and his performance on the court.
Jordan Clarkson Awards Won
Clarkson has won multiple awards, including the NBA Cup champion title in 2025, the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2021, and a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2015.
Jordan Clarkson Family
Jordan Clarkson is in a relationship with American singer-songwriter Maggie Lindemann. He has a daughter and resides in San Antonio, Texas.
Personal Life
Clarkson holds dual citizenship with the Philippines and the United States, which allows him to represent the Philippines in international competitions. He has been involved with the Philippine national basketball team, participating in various tournaments and earning recognition for his contributions.
