Clark Closes a Great Career at Home
by Ray Floriani
JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The numbers on the stat sheet almost jumped off the page. 15-of-35 from the floor. Nine of 20 beyond the arc and a perfect four-for-four from the line. All told, an outstanding 43-point outing. For Keydren Clark, the outstanding senior guard of St. Peter’s, it was yet another scintillating performance. Only, it was to be his last at home before the faithful at Yanitelli Center.
It did not work out to perfection on this Friday evening in Jersey City. Clark gave the Peacocks the lead with ninety seconds remaining on a fifteen-footer. In those last seconds, a bad decision here, a missed free throw or two there and a top of the key trey by Canisius’ Kevin Downey with just under three seconds remaining forced overtime. In the extra session the momentum was sapped. Canisius was on fire from three and eventually closed out a 91-84 road victory.
Clark found this to be an emotional night. The emotion went beyond the realization that this would be his last appearance at Yanitelli in a St. Peter’s uniform. He spoke of his close friend, the late George Jefferson, who died tragically last summer. There is not a day Clark does not think of Jefferson who would have been out there on the floor in a St. Peter’s uniform this season.
“He was the heart and soul of our team,” coach Bob Leckie said of Jefferson. To Clark he was a best friend and more. “He would let us know when we were not playing to our capability,” Clark said. “He was an inspiration and a big part of my success.” Clark is quick to add that his coach Bob Leckie is also another reason why he has enjoyed such a superlative career.
Four years ago, St. Peter’s coach Bob Leckie was coming off a long season and looking for help. One of his main recruiting priorities was a small but very effective guard out of New York City power Rice High School. Clark had heard enough times about being ‘too small’ to make it in the competitive world of Division I basketball. In fact, only a year ago ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla told a story from his head coaching days at New Mexico. Fraschilla sent his assistant coach to watch Clark play. The assistant came back with the all too familiar ‘book’ on Clark: “nice high school player but not big enough for the next level.”
Clark is listed in the St. Peter’s media guide at 5’10” in height, which is on the generous side. Leckie needed players but his recruitment of Clark was not a move of desperation. Leckie coached a number of years at Brooklyn’s Bishop Loughlin High School. He knew how tough the New York City Catholic League is. The St. Peter’s coach also was well aware that players making it in that league were something special. Forget size, as the words of the Sinatra song about New York said, “if I can make it there I’ll make it anywhere…”
Leckie signed Clark and was certain he landed a player who could help him in the MAAC. But he didn’t realize how great an impact Clark would have until one fall afternoon. “It was Kiki’s (Clark) freshman year,” Leckie recalled. “We were having practice prior to the start of the season opener. A good friend who was well respected in basketball circles dropped by. He watched Clark and later told me,’ you have a kid who will be the best player in the MAAC, guaranteed’.” That story stayed with Leckie in the back of his mind as he watched his friend’s prediction gain fruition.
The accolades and honors could fill a volume. He is a two-time national scoring champion and is close to 3,000 points, but on this night he echoed a familiar refrain. “I would rather score 10 and have us win the MAAC (title).”
There is not a pro scout who has looked the St. Peter’s star over and not come away with the opinion, ‘he is really unselfish’. Clark is a pass-first, shoot later talent. At times, especially earlier in his career, he had to take it on himself to score to keep the Peacocks competitive. Still, he was always looking to feed teammates who had a better look at the basket. He can get in the lane with his quickness or beat you on the perimeter with his shooting range. Clark’s numbers (26 ppg this season) are more impressive considering he is the focus of rival scouting reports.
The unselfishness in Keydren Clark the player has also been evident off the floor. Over the summer he spoke to youth groups in Jersey City about the importance of staying in school and securing a good education. And on this senior night, Clark was introduced with his parents but made sure other members of his family such as his aunts joined him out at center court for the ceremony. It’s just another example of Clark extending his feelings and generosity for those who helped him become an outstanding student/athlete.
Clark’s personality is so engaging that Leckie lightly notes, “he recruited our manager.” It turns out that TeRoy Parker attended Rice with Clark. Parker was a manager at Rice, and when it came time to choose a college he decided to follow his friend accross the Hudson. Parker was also honored for his years as a St. Peter’s manager on senior night.
Leckie later talked about Clark’s future and noted he will be in an all-star game at the Final Four. Leckie is also pushing for Clark to get in the three-point shooting contest at the same event. “He’s not in yet,” the coach said, “but I don’t know what other proof they need to include him.” Leckie is also certain, “he will be playing basketball after college.” Clark will go to Portsmouth and hopefully Chicago, then see what happens.
For the present Leckie reflects and said, “it’s a sad moment. We have relied on him (Clark) for four years on and off the court. But this happens; people graduate.”
Presently, Leckie still has Clark’s services in the program. Two days after the Canisius game, St. Peter’s visited Rider and exited with an overtime victory. Next is the MAAC Tournament in Albany and a first round rematch with Rider on Friday.
March is a great time of year with its tournament excitement. It is also a sad time as seniors say farewell and move on. It’s hard to find any who will be missed as much as Keydren Clark of St. Peter’s.
