Keon Clark
| Position | Center-Forward |
|---|---|
| Height | ft in ( m) |
| Weight | lb ( kg) |
| Nationality | |
| Born | April 16 1975  Danville, Illinois |
| College | UNLV |
| Draft | 13th overall, 1998 Orlando Magic |
| Pro career | 1998–2004 |
| Former teams | Denver Nuggets (1998–2001) Toronto Raptors (2001–2002) Sacramento Kings (2002–2003) Utah Jazz (2003-04) Phoenix Suns (2004) |
Arian Keon Clark (born April 16 1975 in Danville, Illinois) is an American former National Basketball Association player.
After a collegiate career at two different junior colleges and UNLV, Clark was selected 13th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 1998 NBA Draft but was traded to the Denver Nuggets. He began his professional career with Denver where he enjoyed a stable first three years in the NBA, improving steadily. However, it was at this time, when he was primed for free agency, that he inexplicably fired his two NBA veteran agents, one of whom lived in Denver and kept close tabs on Keon, and equally puzzlingly, hired a childhood friend who had become a personal banker back in Danville, with zero experience representing professional players of any sort, let alone negotiating any form of personal services contracts.[citation needed] Clark would go on to play for the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, and Utah Jazz. With the Jazz, he only played two games before being traded to the Phoenix Suns for whom he never played a game.
His off-court issues ultimately led to his release from the Suns and exile from the league. During his stay in the league, Clark was known for his excellent jumping ability, (he was said to have had a 40 inch vertical jump) and his unusually skinny legs.[1] In 2002, he was cited for marijuana possession for having about a gram of marijuana in his car. He was cited in 2000 for a similar offense.[2]
In 2002, Clark posted averages of 11.3 points and 1.51 blocks per game, while also finishing ninth in the NBA in total personal fouls.
Personal life
In 2003, Clark was ordered to pay $8,500 per month in child support to his long-time girlfriend, Jamie Hall (Hall v. Clark (In re Keon C.), 344 Ill. App. 3d 1137).
Currently, Clark is residing in his hometown of Danville, and his off-court issues remain a factor in day-to-day life. He holds career averages of 8.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.62 blocks per game.
Clark was scheduled for jury trial on August 14, 2006 in Vermilion County, Illinois on: 1 Count of Possession of Cannabis, C misdemeanor; 2 counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class 4 Felony; and 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm without a valid FOID, class 3 felony.[3]
In addition to these legal woes, Clark was recently in trouble for driving on a suspended license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and DUI.[4][5]
On September 20, 2007, he was sentenced in absentia to 30 months in prison for driving on a suspended license. He was not present at the sentencing, and an arrest warrant was issued for him.[6] On October 11, 2007, he was sentenced to 30 months of prison in Vermillion County Circuit Court on a different charge, for not having a firearm owner's identification card and for possessing drugs.[7] The State's Attorney office wants the sentences to be served consecutively.[8] He was arrested on October 18, 2007 in Splendora, Texas by the US Marshals.[9]
Notes
- ^ Clark, Frank (2006-10-04). Sonics Insider - Apres second practice. Retrieved on 2007-06-16.
- ^ "Former Raptor Keon Clark cited for marijuana possession", CBC.ca, 2002-07-31. Retrieved on 2007-03-28.
- ^ Vermilion County, IL Case Dispositions: Keon Clark
- ^ "Clark faces felony charges for car damage", Commercial-News, 2007-03-08. Retrieved on 2007-03-28.
- ^ JOE HAWK: Walk the plank: Raiders, Buccaneers a disgrace to pirates everywhere. Las Vegas Review-Journal (2006-09-16). Retrieved on 2007-03-28.
- ^ "Clark sentenced to prison", The News-Gazette, 2007-09-20. Retrieved on 2007-09-22.
- ^ "Absent Clark receives prison term", The News-Gazzette, 2007-10-11. Retrieved on 2007-10-18.
- ^ "State's attorney wants Clark's sentences to be consecutive", 2007-10-16. Retrieved on 2007-10-18.
- ^ "Former Toronto Raptors player Keon Clark arrested by U.S. marshals", Canadian Press, 2007-10-18. Retrieved on 2007-10-18.
External link
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