Minnesota Timberwolves Pick UCLA's Jaylen Clark in 2023 NBA Draft
The Bruins' top defender is officially on his way to the pros.
UCLA men's basketball guard Jaylen Clark is headed to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who picked the defensive stalwart with the No. 53 overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday night. Although he is likely to spend most of next season rehabbing a major leg injury, Clark has carved a path to both an NBA roster spot and payday.
Clark was the third Bruin to come off the board in Brooklyn, with Jaime Jaquez Jr. going to the Miami Heat at No. 18 and Amari Bailey going to the Charlotte Hornets at No. 41. This marks the first time three UCLA players have been picked in the same draft since 2017, and just the second time that has occurred since 2014.
Point guard Tyger Campbell and guard David Singleton went undrafted, but both are prime candidates to sign either G League or Summer League contracts in the coming days.
Due to the Achilles injury he suffered on March 4, Clark surprised many by following Jaquez, Bailey and the rest into the draft. The 6-foot-4 guard was unable to participate in the NBA Combine or individual workouts – as he likely won't return to the court until early 2024 – but Clark's breakout junior season and 6-foot-9 wingspan appeared to have stood out to the Timberwolves.
Clark averaged 13.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 0.3 blocks per game in 30 appearances this year, while also leading UCLA and the Pac-12 in steals per game, steal percentage, defensive rating, defensive box plus/minus and overall box plus/minus.
As a result, Clark became the first Bruin to win Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year since Russell Westbrook in 2008. Clark also made the All-Pac-12 Second Team and Pac-12 All-Defensive Team, before eventually securing NABC Defensive Player of the Year and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Clark shot just 30.2% career clip from 3-point range for his collegiate career, but he improved year-over-year in all three of his seasons. He will also have plenty of time to work on his shot before he ever checks in for an NBA game, although it remains to be seen how Clark can develop during his rehab process.
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