Getting to Know Marvin Clark Jr.

The recruiting class of 2014 got a little better with the signing of Marvin Clark Jr.

The 6-foot-7, 219-pound small forward committed to Michigan State a month ago, joining Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn and Javon Bess. He is a three-star recruit, according to rivals.com.

Clark is from Bel Aire, Kan. and played for Sunrise Christian Academy, the same school as Nairn.

Eric Bossi of rivals.com had this to say about the lefty in his scouting report.

“Clark is a small forward who has a versatile game. He is a very good spot up shooter from 12 to 17 feet and is extending his range further. He rebounds very well, is a fine athlete and because of his strength can also play some as a four man in a small lineup.”

Clark had offers from 11 other schools, including Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State and Wichita State. In his senior year at Sunrise Christian, he averaged 20 points and nine rebounds, and his team only lost one game.

Clark appears to be a poor-man’s Branden Dawson, without the freakish jumping ability. He is a much better shooter than Dawson and could fill the niche that is left when Dawson graduates next year. Although he is not a highly regarded prospect, under Tom Izzo’s coaching Clark could become an impact player and prolific scorer in the near future.

The scouting reports and highlight tapes only do so much to describe what kind of player Clark is.

To find out what kind of person he is, there is an incredible documentary on his life called “I Am Marvin Clark”. It talks about his rough childhood and how he overcame adversity to become the man he is today.


Blake Froling is the co-host of Impact Izzone for Impact Sports.

Photo: Scott Wasserman/Impact Sports