Clarke signs NLI

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Junior college forward Coty Clarke has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball for the University of Arkansas Head Coach Mike Anderson announced on Thursday.  Clarke joins the program from Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, Ala., where he averaged 14.5 points and 13.0 rebounds his sophomore season.

Clarke, who is originally from Birmingham, Ala., played two years at Antioch High School before transferring to Pinson Valley High School.  He then made his way to Lawson State CC where he was a standout player averaging a double-double both years on the hardwood.

“Coty is excited about being a Razorback and that excites me,” Anderson said.  “He is an athletic forward who can impact on both ends of the floor, offensively and defensively.  Coty has a blue collar mentality which is needed on this team.  He is an excellent fit for the ‘Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball’.”

Not only did Clarke average a double-double for his Lawson State team a year ago, but the 6-7, 220-pounder, led the team in assists, steals and blocks per game.  Clarke scored 20-plus points in a game three times as a sophomore and had 26 straight double figure scoring efforts before the NJCAA Region 22 tournament.  He scored a career high 27 points against Marion Military Institute in early February and grabbed 23 rebounds in a game against Gadsden State in late January.  He also posted a career best 12 assists against Gadsden State with 18 defensive rebounds.

The addition of Clarke brings Arkansas’ total number of newcomers to six for the 2012-13 season.  Clarke joins 5-10 guard DeQuavious Wagner of Louisiana, 6-8 forward JaCorey Williams of Alabama, 6-5 forward Michael Qualls of Louisiana, 6-3 guard Anthlon Bell of Tennessee and 6-6 forward Alandise Harris of Little Rock.