VCU Basketball: Why Jack Clark is the most important team transfer for 2024-25

There’s been a lot of success at VCU, especially since the program joined the A-10 back in 2012. Success has come in multiple eras, under several different head coaches, and with largely different rosters. Last year was the first of another new era under head coach Ryan Odom, and while the Rams missed out on the Big Dance, their 24-win season was far from a disappointment.

Odom largely built a new team last season but didn’t have that same necessity this offseason. VCU’s big three will all be back for one final season each, as Joe Bamisile, Zeb Jackson, and Max Shulga all return. Each of those three as double-digit scorers who provided key plays and prominence in this backcourt. The Rams did lose Sean Bairstow and Kuany Kuany while key backup Toibu Lawal opted to transfer, though there’s plenty of talent both old and new on this roster.

With that much returning talent, there wasn’t an overwhelming need for new blood, though the staff did add a few freshmen into the fold. VCU clearly wasn’t raiding the Transfer Portal like the previous offseason, though they did land two interesting new pieces. The first of those is Phillip Russell, a point guard who was WAC Sixth Man of the Year at UT Arlington last season and had previously starred at Southeast Missouri State.

The second is our focus today and that new piece is Jack Clark. An experienced power forward originally from Pennsylvania, Clark began his career with parts of four years at La Salle before spending a year apiece at NC State and Clemson. He was a solid weapon, averaging 9.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game with the Wolfpack before a less prominent role with the Tigers last season, though he was part of Clemson’s run to the Elite Eight.

A very experienced and veteran forward, Clark comes to VCU to spend his final year of eligibility while filling a certain need for the Rams. With those three returning guards, the Rams didn’t need a potent scorer or playmaker, but Clark fits right in as a stout defender in a new-look frontcourt. He’s played solid ball at the power conference level and has boasted great defensive metrics in recent years, including decent steals and blocked shot figures.

Let’s reiterate again that this VCU team made the NIT and came up just short in the title game of the A-10 Tournament. They then returned the most important players in the backcourt, meaning a breakthrough season from Clark in the frontcourt could lead them to another league title. The Rams are mostly depending on younger, new talent at forward and having a veteran defender like Clark in this system could be monumental.

There are a lot of moving pieces in the A-10, though we know that this returning core is virtually unmatched. VCU has their eyes on the NCAA Tournament next season and could surprise people if everything comes together. Does Clark become that shutdown defender and solid frontcourt weapon that the Rams need? Is there enough talent beyond the starting five to get VCU into that type of contention?