Rotnei Clarke may leave Arkansas; interesting tidbit about his recruitment

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Verdigris' Rotnei Clarke may not return to Arkansas

by: BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
3/23/2011 4:57:12 PM

It is believed that Rotnei Clarke, the all-time scoring leader in Oklahoma high school basketball, may not return for his senior season at the University of Arkansas.

Kelly Clarke, Rotnei’s uncle and former coach at Verdigris High School, says his nephew is frustrated by the Razorbacks’ “lack of discipline and lack of structure.”

Through Rotnei Clarke’s three seasons in Fayetteville, the Razorbacks are 46-47 overall and 16-32 in Southeastern Conference play, with no postseason appearances. The 6-foot guard, an All-SEC second-team selection this season, ranks among the most accurate 3-point shooters in the nation and has a career scoring average of 14.2 points. He averages 7.1 3-point attempts per game.

“He definitely has been underutilized,” said Kelly Clarke, now the girls’ coach at Yukon High School. “He’s been used as a decoy more than he’s been used (as a shooter). That sounds arrogant because I’m his uncle. But every (television) commentator says, ‘Set a screen for that dude. Set a screen for him.’ And one reason his 3-point percentage suffers is because they don’t go to him until it’s too late (in the shot clock).”

Before signing with Arkansas in November 2007, Rotnei Clarke was recruited also by the University of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, along with others like Gonzaga and Arizona State. He completed his high school career by averaging 40.8 points as a senior and leading Verdigris to the Class 3A championship. His career scoring total of 3,758 points stands as the state record.

By this time next week, it should be apparent whether Clarke is leaving the Razorbacks. A source indicated that Clarke, subsequent to the March 13 firing of coach John Pelphrey, submitted a request to be released from his scholarship, but the request was denied and Clarke was told that the process could not occur until after a new coach has been hired.

Now, apparently, whether Clarke submits a second request depends on the identity of Arkansas’ new coach. University athletic director Jeff Long reportedly is nearing a decision. Arkansas media outlets have reported that Arkansas “is prepared” to offer Missouri coach Mike Anderson – a former Razorback assistant – a seven-year contract worth $2.2 million annually.

Attempts to contact Clarke through the University of Arkansas media relations office were unsuccessful.

Former coach Stan Heath first recruited Clarke on behalf of Arkansas, but was fired in March 2007. Creighton’s Dana Altman was introduced as the new Razorback coach, but reconsidered and vacated the position after less than 24 hours. Pelphrey resumed the recruiting process, signed Clarke and coached him for three seasons.

A year ago, after rumors surfaced that Clarke was seeking a transfer, he released a statement in which he pledged allegiance to the Razorback program.

Rotnei, Kelly Clarke says, “was loyal to them for another year.”

If Rotnei Clarke does leave Arkansas, it is not known whether he has targeted a specific destination.

Reflecting on Rotnei’s recruiting experience, Kelly Clarke said, “He had mentally committed to OU, but when Willie Warren got involved in it, he pulled off of them. He was really looking at Oklahoma State until Sean (former Cowboy coach Sean Sutton) tried to pressure him into (committing).”

At Arkansas, Kelly Clarke said, Rotnei’s career has defined by frustration.

“He’s not going to be able to do the same things he did in high school, but he can do so much more,” Kelly Clarke said. “ ... When he’s hot, put the ball in his hands. Set a screen for him.”

Because of what he says is a disdain for Arkansas’ style of play, Kelly Clarke has attended only a handful of Rotnei’s games played at Arkansas’ Bud Walton Arena.

“I just can’t bear to watch it,” Kelly Clarke said. “It just breaks my heart.”

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsext...ctid=96&articleid=20110323_234_0_Itisbe302370
 
By the way some of the stuff his Uncle says really makes Rotnei sound like King Douche
 
Would be an absolute stupid move for him to transfer at this point or just quit...

I dont know his uncle, but sounds like most that try to get involved or state opinions when they have bias...

If they centered their offense more around Clarke they would have a worse record then they already do...he is a great "decoy" as he puts it...He just doesnt have the size or overall game to be a focus of an offense on a winning major college team...his best attributes are his ability to spot up and knockdown open shots...

Now if he wants to go to Oral Roberts, then i could see him being that guy...
 
I would take Cade Davis 7 days a week and twice on Sundays over Rotnei Clarke, I'm sorry.
 
It would be real stupid to transfer if Anderson is hired. His system is made for guards who can score.

Unless Rotnei isn't athletic enough to play pressure defense, which may be the case.
 
It would be real stupid to transfer if Anderson is hired. His system is made for guards who can score.

Unless Rotnei isn't athletic enough to play pressure defense, which may be the case.

Clarke doesn't wanna hustle like Anderson requires.

Also, no offense to OP intended but most of us knew that about his recruitment.
 
I would take Cade Davis 7 days a week and twice on Sundays over Rotnei Clarke, I'm sorry.

Not me, and here is why.

No offense to Cade Davis, but OU should be able to recruit a player like Cade just about every single year. And if we go back to Kelvin's tenure at OU, I could probably prove that out. And probably Billy too. It shouldn't be "special" to have an OU player that plays hard, and leaves it all on the floor. It wasn't long ago, nearly all of them did that.

As for Rotnei, this past season, his 3 point percentage for the year would have been the 4th best percentage by any player for a season at OU that took 100 attempts. Only behind Heskett ('99), White ('03), and Grace ('87). And I could argue that do to the shear volume of shots he was forced to take at Arkansas, that his season was better than White and Grace for sure, and certainly comparable to Heskett.

When is the last time OU had a great 3 point shooter for consecutive years? I don't know the answer to that, but it's been too long. Clark is a sniper. Imagine him with Blake. Imagine the lanes he'd open up for Clark or even Blair.
 
It would be real stupid to transfer if Anderson is hired. His system is made for guards who can score.

Unless Rotnei isn't athletic enough to play pressure defense, which may be the case.

I don't see Rotnei being good in that system. As you said, it's build more for athletes b/c of the defensive pressure, and running required.

Amazes me that people still bash this kid. Our program would have been better off with him and no WW. Nobody knew that at the time, but looking back, I think it's absolutely true.
 
Not me, and here is why.

No offense to Cade Davis, but OU should be able to recruit a player like Cade just about every single year. And if we go back to Kelvin's tenure at OU, I could probably prove that out. And probably Billy too. It shouldn't be "special" to have an OU player that plays hard, and leaves it all on the floor. It wasn't long ago, nearly all of them did that.

As for Rotnei, this past season, his 3 point percentage for the year would have been the 4th best percentage by any player for a season at OU that took 100 attempts. Only behind Heskett ('99), White ('03), and Grace ('87). And I could argue that do to the shear volume of shots he was forced to take at Arkansas, that his season was better than White and Grace for sure, and certainly comparable to Heskett.

When is the last time OU had a great 3 point shooter for consecutive years? I don't know the answer to that, but it's been too long. Clark is a sniper. Imagine him with Blake. Imagine the lanes he'd open up for Clark or even Blair.


those are really good points. He does have a great shot. My problem with Clarke has always been his attitude, not his game. I have a serious time with "me" guys and would much rather suffer the talent loss than have them infecting my team chemistry.

I know many Ark people have said "he's not a problem at all". I just don't believe them. There's too much smoke the other way and I know what I've seen. I am more than happy to clap for his "amazements" from afar while counting my lucky stars that he isn't on this squad.
 
People bash the kid because he comes off as an arrogant little piss ant that cares about one thing and one thing only: getting his. Somebody got it right when they said he needs to transfer to ORU. Maybe there he can jack it up 25 times a game and that will make him happy. Newsflash: he wasn't going to do that at OU, so he'd probably be complaining and talking about transferring if he came here also.
 
He would start for us the last 3 yrs. I'll take the brat anyday. Attitude can be changed...

so you think we shoulda committed to him and then we could change his attitude?

LOL

you don't interact with women much do you?
 
I wonder if he is close to getting his degree? If he is, he could transfer to OSU and play w/ Page next season.
 
so you think we shoulda committed to him and then we could change his attitude?

LOL

you don't interact with women much do you?

I would choose WW over him. he wasnt coming with WW...

I forgot... your the all knowning one on here! Anyone that doenst see eye to eye with you, you cant stand them...
Typical know it all attitude, how about you change a little???
 
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