Jordan Taylor Clarkson Bio
Jordan Taylor Clarkson is an American and Filipino professional basketball player who currently serves as a shooting guard and point guard for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born in Tampa, Florida, on June 7, 1992, Clarkson has built a reputation as a dynamic scorer and playmaker throughout his NBA career. He was drafted in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards with the 46th overall pick and was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Over his career, Clarkson has played for the Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, and Knicks, earning numerous accolades including NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors in 2021. His Filipino heritage has made him a significant figure in Philippine basketball, where he represents the Gilas Pilipinas national team.
Early Life and Background
Jordan Taylor Clarkson was born in Tampa, Florida, to African-American father Mike Clarkson and Filipino-American mother Annette Tullao Davis. His maternal grandmother, Marcelina Tullao Kingsolver, was originally from Bacolor, Pampanga in the Philippines. Both of his parents served in the United States Air Force before divorcing when Clarkson was young. His father later remarried Janie Clarkson. Around the age of six, Clarkson moved to San Antonio, Texas, where he would spend much of his formative years and develop his basketball skills.
Clarkson attended Karen J. Wagner High School in San Antonio. During his sophomore year, he averaged 10 points per game while earning honorable mention all-district honors. As a junior, his production increased significantly, averaging 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game while leading his team to a 32-8 record and a berth in the Class 5A state semi-finals. As a senior, Clarkson averaged 18.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, guiding his team to a 38-2 record despite a loss in the state championship game. His outstanding high school career earned him San Antonio High School Player of the Year honors. He signed a National Letter of Intent to play at the University of Tulsa on November 11, 2009.
Path to Professional Basketball
Clarkson began his college career at the University of Tulsa, playing for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane from 2010 to 2012. In his freshman season, he was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team after earning Conference USA Freshman of the Week honors four times. He appeared in 27 games, starting nine, and averaged 11.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. During his sophomore season, Clarkson elevated his play, earning All-Conference USA first-team honors and NABC All-District 11 recognition while starting all 31 games and averaging 16.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.
In May 2012, Clarkson transferred to the University of Missouri, where he was required to sit out the 2012-13 season due to NCAA transfer rules. Upon returning for his redshirt junior season in 2013-14, he was named to the All-SEC second team and appeared on the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 list. He earned three Southeastern Conference Player of the Week honors while starting all 35 games and averaging 17.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. On March 31, 2014, Clarkson declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final year of college eligibility to pursue his professional basketball dreams.
Jordan Taylor Clarkson Career
Los Angeles Lakers (2014-2018)
On June 26, 2014, Clarkson was selected by the Washington Wizards with the 46th overall pick in the NBA draft. He was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on draft night in exchange for cash considerations. After joining the team for the 2014 NBA Summer League, he signed with the Lakers on August 25, 2014. During his rookie season, Clarkson spent significant time with the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League but eventually became a starter for the Lakers, appearing in 38 starts and averaging 15.8 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.2 rebounds as a starter. On March 24, 2015, Clarkson made history by becoming part of the first Asian-American starting backcourt in NBA history alongside Jeremy Lin. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team at the conclusion of the season, becoming only the fifth second-round pick in the previous 30 years to achieve that distinction.
Clarkson’s second season saw him continue his development with the Lakers. On November 3, 2015, he scored a career-high-tying 30 points against the Denver Nuggets. He represented Team USA in the 2016 Rising Stars Challenge, recording 25 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. On July 7, 2016, Clarkson signed a lucrative four-year, $50 million contract extension with the Lakers. During the 2016-17 season, he recorded a career-high 35 points with eight 3-pointers in an overtime win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 24, 2017. His productivity continued into the 2017-18 season, including a 33-point performance against the Indiana Pacers on January 19, 2018.
Cleveland Cavaliers (2018-2019)
On February 8, 2018, Clarkson was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a multi-player deal that sent Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye to Los Angeles, with Larry Nance Jr. joining Clarkson in Cleveland. He made his Cavaliers debut three days later, scoring 17 points in a win over the Boston Celtics. The Cavaliers advanced to the 2018 NBA Finals that year, where they were defeated by the Golden State Warriors in four games. During his time in Cleveland, Clarkson had several standout performances, including a 28-point game against the New York Knicks on December 12, 2018. On February 13, 2019, he set a new career high with 42 points in a triple-overtime loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
Utah Jazz (2019-2025)
On December 24, 2019, Clarkson was traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Dante Exum and two future second-round draft picks. He quickly established himself as a key contributor off the bench for the Jazz. On November 21, 2020, he signed a four-year, $52 million contract extension with Utah. The 2020-21 season proved to be a breakthrough year for Clarkson. He averaged a career-high 18.4 points per game and led the NBA with 203 three-pointers made while coming off the bench. His exceptional performance earned him the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, making him the first Utah player to win that honor. He also tied for the league lead in three-pointers made that season.
Clarkson continued his strong play with the Jazz in subsequent seasons. On March 12, 2022, he scored a career-high 45 points on 15-for-21 shooting from the field in a win against the Sacramento Kings. On January 1, 2024, he recorded his first career triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in a victory over the Dallas Mavericks, marking the first regular-season triple-double for any Jazz player since Carlos Boozer in 2008. On July 7, 2023, Clarkson signed a two-year, $28.4 million contract extension with the Jazz. During the 2024-25 season, he averaged 16.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 37 appearances before undergoing a medical procedure to address plantar fasciitis in his left foot, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season. On June 30, 2025, Clarkson reached a buyout agreement with the Jazz, concluding his six-year tenure in Utah.
New York Knicks (2025-Present)
On July 7, 2025, Clarkson signed with the New York Knicks, joining the storied franchise in pursuit of his first NBA championship. His addition brought valuable experience and scoring ability to the Knicks’ backcourt. The Knicks finished the 2024-25 season strong and entered the playoffs with momentum. In Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Clarkson contributed to the Knicks’ 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, helping the team close out the series 4-1 to capture their first NBA championship in 53 years. Clarkson became the first player of Filipino descent to win an NBA championship, cementing his legacy in both NBA and Philippine basketball history.
Playing Style and Strengths
Clarkson is primarily known as a scoring guard who can play both point guard and shooting guard positions. His offensive game features a lethal perimeter shooting ability, particularly from three-point range, combined with an aggressive drive to the basket. His career high three-point production during the 2020-21 season with the Jazz demonstrated his capacity to be an elite shooter while coming off the bench. Clarkson’s ability to create his own shot makes him particularly valuable as a sixth man, providing instant offense when the second unit enters the game. His playmaking skills allow him to run an offense when needed, as evidenced by his triple-double performance with the Jazz.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Clarkson has achieved several historic milestones. In 2015, he became part of the first Asian-American starting backcourt in NBA history alongside Jeremy Lin. In 2021, he became the first Utah Jazz player to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. On October 28, 2021, Clarkson and Jalen Green became the first two players of Filipino descent to appear in the same NBA game during Houston Rockets’ Filipino Heritage Night. Most recently, he became the first player of Filipino descent to win an NBA championship with the Knicks in 2025.
Jordan Taylor Clarkson Career Highlights
Throughout his professional career, Jordan Taylor Clarkson has established himself as one of the most consistent scoring guards in the NBA. His ability to contribute both as a starter and reserve has made him valuable to every team he has played for. With over a decade of NBA experience, Clarkson has accumulated impressive statistics across multiple franchises while earning individual accolades and making history at multiple levels of the sport.
NBA Career Achievements
Clarkson’s NBA career highlights include winning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2021, being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2015, and capturing the NBA championship with the New York Knicks in 2025. His career-high 45 points scored against the Sacramento Kings in 2022 remains one of the most efficient scoring performances of his career. He led the NBA with 203 three-pointers made during the 2020-21 season while establishing a new career high in points per game. Clarkson’s consistency is reflected in his ability to average double figures in scoring for multiple consecutive seasons.
College and International Recognition
Prior to his NBA career, Clarkson earned recognition at the collegiate level, including First-team All-Conference USA honors in 2012 and Second-team All-SEC recognition in 2014. He was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team in 2011. On the international stage, Clarkson has represented the Philippine national team in multiple competitions, including the 2018 Asian Games and the 2023 FIBA World Cup. In the 2023 FIBA World Cup, he averaged 26.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game across five appearances, establishing himself as one of the top performers in that tournament.
Jordan Taylor Clarkson Family
Family Background and Heritage
Jordan Taylor Clarkson comes from a diverse family background with strong ties to both the United States and the Philippines. His father, Mike Clarkson, is African-American, and his mother, Annette Tullao Davis, is of Filipino descent with roots in Bacolor, Pampanga, Philippines. Both parents served in the United States Air Force, which influenced Clarkson’s early life and contributed to his moves across different locations. His maternal grandmother, Marcelina Tullao Kingsolver, was born in the Philippines, passing on Filipino heritage to Clarkson. Clarkson holds dual citizenship with both the Philippines and the United States, with his Filipino citizenship established through ancestral descent.
Personal Life
Clarkson resides in San Antonio, Texas, the city where he spent much of his childhood and high school years. He has a daughter. From 2022 to 2025, Clarkson was in a relationship with American singer-songwriter Maggie Lindemann. Clarkson maintains an active presence on social media and has leveraged his platform to connect with fans in both the United States and the Philippines. His Filipino heritage has made him a beloved figure in the Philippines, where he has a significant following and has participated in various community and promotional events.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transformative year in Jordan Taylor Clarkson’s career as he transitioned from the Utah Jazz to the New York Knicks. After spending six seasons with the Jazz, including his award-winning 2020-21 campaign, Clarkson signed with the Knicks in July 2025. The move brought him to one of the NBA’s most storied franchises with championship aspirations. Despite missing significant time during the 2024-25 season with a foot injury, Clarkson recovered and was ready to contribute to the Knicks’ championship push.
Upon joining the Knicks, Clarkson provided valuable depth and experience to the backcourt rotation. His scoring ability and experience as a sixth man brought a new dimension to the team’s offense. The Knicks had been building toward championship contention, and Clarkson’s addition was viewed as a key piece in their pursuit of the franchise’s first title since 1973. Throughout the season, he worked to integrate with his new teammates and adapt to the Knicks’ system while maintaining the offensive prowess that had defined his career.
The Knicks’ season culminated in a dramatic playoff run that ended with a championship victory over the San Antonio Spurs in five games during the NBA Finals. Clarkson’s contributions during the championship run, particularly in Game 5, solidified his place in NBA history as the first player of Filipino descent to win an NBA championship. This achievement represented the culmination of his journey from high school standout in San Antonio to NBA champion, while also honoring his Filipino heritage in the most significant way possible.