Jordan Clarkson: Influencer, Athlete, Trendsetter

From athlete to trendsetter, Jordan Clarkson is making his mark in the entertainment industry both on and off the court. This 6’5” NBA Rising Star is definitely one to watch in 2016.

Born in Tampa, Florida, and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Clarkson excelled on the basketball court all throughout high school – so much so that in November 2009, he officially signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball at the University of Tulsa. After playing for two seasons at the University of Tulsa he transferred to the University of Missouri. He ultimately decided to forgo his senior year of college to enter the 2014 NBA Draft – a move that paid off when he was selected by the Washington Wizards. However, on draft night he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Earlier this month I was fortunate enough to sit down with Clarkson in LA to discuss everything from how he prepares for a big game to what he hopes to accomplish in the future, which includes starting his own fashion brand.

There is no doubt that Clarkson has a bright and promising future ahead of him. As a guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, Clarkson has accomplished a lot in such a short amount of time. During the 201415 season he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, which was also his first year with the Los Angeles Lakers. Considering the fact that it requires a lot of physical and mental preparation going into each game, Clarkson prefers to go in with a clear head. “I just try to clear my mind and go to a different place and focus on what the task is at hand,” said Clarkson.

While Clarkson credits Steve Nash as a mentor who’s inspired him the most in his career, he also credits his father as his biggest inspiration. “My dad is definitely my biggest inspiration because he’s been through a lot,” said Clarkson.