After a surprisingly strong rookie season, Los Angeles Lakers point guard Jordan Clarkson earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors despite being selected in the middle of the second round with the 46th overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Clarkson joined Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Mirotic, Nerlens Noel and Elfrid Payton on the 2014/15 All-Rookie First Team. Three of the four players joining Clarkson on the All-Rookie First Team were lottery selections, meaning they were picked in the first 13 picks of the NBA draft. Mirotic was originally drafted by the Houston Rockets with the 23rd overall selection of the 2011 draft, but the power forward opted to stay in Spain until the start of the 2014/15 season.
Clarkson narrowly edged out Boston Celtics point guard Marcus Smart in the All-Rookie First Team voting despite being selected 40 picks lower than the Celtics rookie. Other notable players Clarkson edged out included Aaron Gordon (picked 4th), Dante Exum (picked 5th) and Zach LaVine (picked 13).
Described as a humble gym rat, Clarkson earned heavy praise from his teammates and coaches throughout the season. Incidentally, Clarkson joined Lakers coach Byron Scott as one of only 11 Lakers to ever earn the first year honor. Fan favorite Eddie Jones was the last Lakers' rookie to be named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and Jones earned the honor two decades earlier in the 1994/95 NBA season.
Along with his fellow coaches and teammates providing guidance, Clarkson also began working with Steve Nash in one-on-one sessions designed to help the young point guard develop his game and build positive habits during the season. Clarkson jokingly referred to Nash as "Professor Steve" during the season, highlighting the student and teacher relationship between the two players on opposite sides of the NBA timeline. Nash, who did not play in a single game of the 2014/15 NBA season, announced his retirement shortly before the end of the 2014/15 season.
Clarkson grew up in San Antonio and went to Tulsa for two years before transferring to Missouri for his junior season. The Lakers acquired Clarkson's draft rights via the Washington Wizards, who sold the Lakers the no. 46 pick for cash. No coincidence, Clarkson made his first NBA start in his hometown against the world champion San Antonio Spurs.
In 38 games as a starter, Clarkson averaged 15.8 points, 5.0 assists and 4.2 rebounds. Whether he stays on as a starter or moves to the second unit is up for debate, but the 22-year-old has already shown enough to warrant consistent playing time.
