PORTLAND, Ore. – Pitt transfer Crisshawn Clark is the latest player to sign with the Portland men's basketball program, head coach Terry Porter announced on Tuesday. Clark (6-4, 210) will sit out the 2017-18 season due to NCAA transfer rules and then will have the possibility for two years of eligibility with the Pilots thereafter.
A versatile scoring combo guard, Clark missed last season with a knee injury and will rehab during the upcoming season with Portland's medical staff in preparation for the 2018-19 season. Due to his medical history, Clark and the Pilots can apply to the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility for the 2019-20 season.
A prep standout at Wayne High School near Dayton, Ohio, Clark had a breakout 2014-15 campaign at Cañada College in San Mateo, Calif. before missing the 2015-16 season due to injury. He chose Pitt over reported offers from Oregon, Saint Mary's and Nevada and was prepared for an impactful season in the Atlantic Coast Conference last year.
"We are thrilled to have a player of Crisshawn's talents join our program," Porter said. "Before his injury, he distinguished himself as an ACC-caliber player with Pittsburgh. He is a mature kid that fit in well with our team and staff during his visit. Crisshawn brings a lot of toughness to our program. He is a player that has good skills at both ends of the court and we are excited for him to finish out his college career as a member of the Pilot family."
Clark earned 2015 Nor Cal Freshman of the Year honors after leading the Cañada College to a 24-7 record and an appearance in the CCCAA state semifinals. He averaged 15.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game while reaching double figures 26 times and scoring 20 or more points in eight games. Clark shot 47.2 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from three-point range. He earned All-CCCAA First Team honors and was named to the All-Tournament Team during Cañada's run to the state semifinals.
"I am excited to see Crisshawn find a home at the University of Portland," Cañada College head coach Mike Reynoso said. "Portland has an extremely good staff and a program on the rise. I know Portland is getting a great player in Crisshawn and he will make an immediate impact as soon as he gets on campus. Crisshawn is extremely versatile. He is a high IQ player who can do everything on the floor. He can score from everywhere on the court with his three-point range, mid-range game, and the ability to finish at the rim. Most importantly he is a competitor and will bring leadership and toughness to the Pilots."
Clark played high school basketball in a talent-rich area of Ohio and was prep teammates with current NBA and former Michigan State standout, Travis Trice. He helped Wayne High School to a pair of district championship appearances and averaged 11.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game as a senior.
Clark is the seventh member of Portland's 2017 recruiting class that currently features four incoming freshmen and two junior college transfers. Portland signed four players early in a group was rated the No. 17 class in the nation and the top mid-major recruiting class after the November signing period by the Hoop Scoop.
2017 University of Portland Men's Basketball Recruiting Class
| Player |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Yr. |
Hometown/Previous Schools |
| Crisshawn Clark |
G |
6-4 |
210 |
Jr. |
Dayton, Ohio/Pittsburgh/Cañada College |
| Tahirou Diabate |
F |
6-10 |
215 |
Fr. |
Niigate, Japan/Teikyo Nagaoka HS |
| Taki Fahrensohn |
G |
6-5 |
180 |
Fr. |
Auckland, New Zealand/Auckland Grammar School |
| Hugh Hogland |
F/C |
6-9 |
235 |
Fr. |
Waimanalo, Hawaii/Iolani School |
| Josh McSwiggan |
G/F |
6-7 |
200 |
RS-So. |
Loughborough, England/UTEP/Casper College |
| Austin Stone |
F/C |
6-9 |
225 |
Jr. |
Lake Wylie, S.C./Clover HS/USC Salkehatchie |
| JoJo Walker |
G |
6-1 |
170 |
Fr. |
Santa Maria, Calif./St. Joseph High School |
