Missouri junior Jordan Clarkson declares for NBA draft

Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports

As first reported by ESPN, Missouri Tigers junior guard Jordan Clarkson will forgo his senior season and enter the NBA Draft.

After just one season in uniform for the Tigers following two seasons at Tulsa, Clarkson enters the draft on the heels of his most productive college season. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 17.5 points, 3.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds, was named second-team All-SEC, led the Tigers to a 23-12 record and a second round appearance in the NIT. Clarkson scored in double-digits in all but one of Mizzou’s 35 games this season.

The Texas native finished top-ten in the conference in scoring, assists, field goal percentage, assists-to-turnover ratio, and minutes played.

“It’s hard to find the right words to say because this coaching staff, my teammates, this school and these fans have been so incredible to me during my two years here at Mizzou,” he said in his release.

Despite his brief stint in Columbia, he took the time to write a letter to the fans of Mizzou Nation.

The decision comes as his father, Michael, is undergoing radiation therapy at the Mayo Clinic for spinal cancer. Clarkson found out his father had cancer on Groundhog Day, admitting, “It’s a tough situation. You don’t want to see your dad struggling and stuff like that.”

With the announcement, head coach Frank Haith has an extra scholarship to work with as he looks to replace his second-leading scorer.

According to DraftExpress‘ mock draft boards, Clarkson is slated as a mid-second round pick.