Brandon Clarke once cut his lip dunking in practice at Gonzaga

Clarke flashed his elite athleticism as soon as he stepped onto campus for practice at Gonzaga.

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Brandon Clarke was touted as a player with elite athleticism at his size and position when he left Gonzaga last year to enter the NBA Draft. As it turned out, that athletic prowess was on display very early on.

Clarke spent just one season with the Bulldogs after transferring from San Jose State. He earned First Team All-WCC honors after averaging 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals in 37 games played.

Clarke often put on dunk shows each time he stepped onto the court with Gonzaga and his athleticism even surprised his teammates when he first arrived on campus. The group was in the gym practicing and Clarke jumped so high that he cut his lip on the rim.

As told to Karthik Venkataraman of KREM-TV in Spokane, Washington, Gonzaga guard Joel Ayayi recalled that moment in practice when he saw Clarke cut his lip.

“I was like there is no way that just happened,” Ayayi said. “I did not believe it at first. I thought he was just kidding, but he actually hurt his lip and that’s just insane. Usually, people maybe hit their head, but he cut his lip.

“We were like, ‘Who is this guy? Are you kidding me?’ We knew he was good and athletic, but not like that. It was kind of our awakening moment before anyone else in the country that this guy was going to be good.”

Clarke confirmed the story and said he still has the scar to prove it.

Of course, Clarke went on to become the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He was initially selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder but was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. Clarke is considered to be among the top rookies this season and many believe he will eventually earn All-NBA Rookie First Team honors.

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