SALT LAKE CITY — Who knew the number double zero would become so iconic in Utah? Jordan Clarkson recently returned to Salt Lake City for a game against the Utah Jazz. March 11, 2026— Returning to the Delta Center for the first time since being bought out by the team.
“That’s my home,” Clarkson told the New York Post before her speech homecoming games In the heart of Delta. “I love this organization. I love the coaching staff. Yeah, I love this city. All I have is a love for it there.”
Even though Clarkson is now a player for the New York Knicks, he will forever be remembered as a Jazz sixth man legend. Clarkson’s impact on the team and the state extends far beyond his performance on the court.
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Flamethrower on the field
In Clarkson’s six years with the Jazz, the sixth man averaged 17.3 points, 3.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. jazz transactional For guards in 2019, there is only one purpose: to put the ball in the basket. upon entering the court in his second game as a Jazz player December 28, 2019the flamethrower made his presence known.
He scored 19 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists to help the Jazz defeat the Los Angeles Clippers. Clarkson’s accolades didn’t end there, though.
exist March 12, 2022Clarkson breaks Utah’s bench scoring record. He beat out Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, who scored 41 points; Clarkson had 45 points, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block.
The only player to come close to that record was Jazz freshman forward Brice Sensabaugh, who scored 43 points Came off the bench against the Chicago Bulls on January 14, 2026.
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Awards
one of the guards greatest achievement The pinnacle of his career is winning the 2021 Sixth Man of the Year Award. That year, he led all substitutes in scoring, averaging 18.4 points per game. He also played a huge role in helping the Jazz win the championship No. 1 seed In the Western Conference that year.
Sixth Man of the Year wasn’t the only award Clarkson won at Utah. When the NBA All-Star Game returns to Salt Lake City in 2023, Clarkson participated in the Skills Challenge alongside teammates Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton. Jazz is over win Skills Challenge gives Jazz Nation something to cherish during its second All-Star Game appearance on the Wasatch Front.
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When asked what it meant to him, Clarkson responded: “Doing this for Utahns, thank you to everyone for showing up. You guys already know that, let’s keep fighting for, representing, and loving this city.”
Triple drought over!
Breaking the Jazz’s triple-double drought is something special. The great Carlos Boozer was the last player to do it February 13, 2008defeated the Seattle SuperSonics. More specifically, the last time a Jazz player recorded a triple-double was against a team that folded 20 years ago, and the son of a player who recorded a triple-double will enter the league this year.
January 1, 2024etched in jazz legends. Not only is this a rematch of the infamous Dallas Mavericks A masterpiece of shit game, but it further marked a new era in Jazz history. Throughout the game, fans and broadcasters began to notice a slight uptick in Clarkson’s statistics. The guard finished with 20 points and 11 assists, but only had nine rebounds.
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In the final minutes of the fourth quarter, a Mavericks player missed a shot and the ball bounced into the air. The other Jazz players on the court knew their mission: to get Clarkson to rebound. The sixth man jumped up and grabbed the ball, and the whole stadium went crazy. Clarkson made history and became a Utah legend in the process.
Change perceptions off the field
one of many criticize One of the problems in Utah is that big-name players can’t find name recognition and promotion opportunities in the market. Critics say the state’s market is too small for anyone to get the sponsorship needed to really get noticed.
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Clarkson Break this shame by starring in ads lululemon Promote his brand and appear in every coors light billboard In Utah. He even door panel For a while. Beyond the commercial push, Clarkson showed that other players besides John Stockton and Karl Malone could embrace Salt Lake City. Many players around the league still have misconceptions about the city and its people.
many players Still describes the town as small, boring, and not having many bars. Now, there may be some truth to this statement. Utah’s drinking laws are stricter, and while there aren’t any fun resort casinos, the state has changed in the 1990s. People in the state are becoming more forward-thinking.
In addition, there are many nightlife If you know where to go, there are clubs and bars in town. not to mention, park city, utah, It’s not that far away and offers a similar luxury lifestyle. Plus, the mountains are right in your backyard.
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Clarkson embraced the city Full of love and care, although most players choose to put it down. He really showed that this place is special and the fans will always support you.
legacy of love
Between his many great plays, fun moments and everything in between, Clarkson will always be respected and loved in Utah.
Everyone here would welcome Clarkson back with open arms. Maybe one day he will visit like Boris Dio. Or if fate dictates, he could return next year and play out the rest of his career with the Jazz. No matter what, the number double zero will forever hang in the hearts of the jazz nation.
How big of an impact will Jordan Clarkson have on Utah? appeared first on The Lead.
