The Minnesota Timberwolves have always been a team that focuses on giving players opportunities to thrive. They have historically done so with players like Nikola Pekovic and Jaylen Nowell.
Now, they have unearthed another diamond in the rough, Jaylen Clark, who was selected with the 53rd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
In college, Clark played for the UCLA Bruins, where he was a defensive titan. He was one of the most challenging players to play against because he was a suffocating defender.
Jaylen earned honors for his defensive work, winning multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards. He became a better offensive player in his junior year for the Bruins. Unfortunately, he suffered an Achilles tendon rupture, which lowered his stock in the '23 Draft.
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Minnesota Got A Steal With Clark
After he was selected, it was accepted that he would play on a two-way contract. He did not register a single minute in the 2023-24 season, but Jaylen finally got his opportunity when he became part of coach Chris Finch's rotation.
He has played to his strengths, as he is a superb defender at 6'5". Clark does not need much help because he has always been a tough matchup to play against.
What a ridiculous steal from Jaylen Clark.
It is so hard to defend and pick a positioning strategy here, between guarding your matchup or looking toward the probing ball handler.
But Jaylen did both. pic.twitter.com/5QXZiB2ar7
— Jonah (@Huncho_Jman) March 22, 2025
In his rookie NBA season, Clark has not lit up the box score, but he is earning everyone's respect. The Timberwolves valued him enough to upgrade his two-way deal into a standard two-year contract.
Now, he has continued to impress. He is an energetic player who fits right in with the Minnesota system. That is an excellent sign for second-round picks like him and another defensive star, Portland's Toumani Camara, who was selected before Clark at 52.
Finch Is A Big Fan Of Clark In The Timberwolves' Rotation
When watching Timberwolves games, fans can see how much Clark fits the bill as a Chris Finch player. He is the energetic wing who can defend multiple positions and inspire the team to run in transition.
That is a big deal for Finch because he wants the team to work hard on both ends of the floor. He has that with players like Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, and Jaden McDaniels.
Finch wants to keep setting a culture of hard work, hustle, and defense, which the team has been doing over the past few seasons. Clark is another addition to that because he fits the profile of a modern-day Timberwolves player.
Very fun to watch Jaylen Clark play point of attack defense pic.twitter.com/AhPlbtpqJT
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) February 9, 2025
Recently, Finch has started using Clark more and more. The coach trusts him because of his hard work and dedication to leaving his mark on the team as a rookie.
"The first regret I had the other night (the loss to New Orleans) was that I should have played him 20 minutes instead of 12," Finch said before the blowout win against the Pelicans. "I just have to do it. I have to force myself to do it. I was going back to Donte, going back to Nickeil, going back to Jaden, to get them into rhythm. It just never happened, but I should have done was left Jaylen out there to make winning plays and guard well."
Earning that kind of trust in the rookie year is significant for Clark. As long as he keeps working hard and improving his game like he did with his three-point shooting, the sky is the limit for Jaylen under Finch's system.
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This story was originally published March 23, 2025 at 9:30 AM.