Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark has been cleared to play in the NBA Summer League after missing all of last season while rehabbing a left Achilles tendon rupture.
Clark sustained the injury in March 2023 while playing at UCLA and underwent surgery two days later. He was ruled out of participating in team workouts during the predraft process but was still selected by the Timberwolves with the 53rd pick in the NBA draft.
He was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 13 points, six rebounds, 2.6 steals and 1.9 assists in the 2022-23 season as a junior. He finished sixth in the country in steals per game and second in defensive box plus-minus (plus-6.7).
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Despite the injury, Clark signed a two-way contract last July. He spent the entire year recovering from the injury and was seen throughout the season doing on-court work. He has now been given the green light to play, clearing the way for him to suit up in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 22-year-old will be joined in summer league by 2024 draft picks Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr., along with roster players Leonard Miller, Josh Minott and Daishen Nix, among others. Assistant Chris Hines will coach the team.
The Timberwolves will play at least five games, beginning with the New Orleans Pelicans on July 12 at the Thomas & Mack Center (5 p.m. EDT, ESPN2).
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