Last Updated on December 22, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake
Archie Clark, born on July 15, 1941, in Conway, Arkansas, is a retired American professional basketball player renowned for his exceptional skills as a guard in the NBA.
Personal Information:
- Full Name: Archie L. Clark
- Nationality: American
- Age: 83 (as of 2024)
- Hometown: Conway, Arkansas; raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan
- Height: 6’2″ (188 cm)
- Weight: 175 lbs (79 kg)
- Wingspan: Not publicly documented
- Shoe Size: Not publicly documented
Education and Early Life:
- High School: Ecorse High School, Ecorse, Michigan
- College: University of Minnesota (1963–1966)
Professional Basketball Career:
- NBA Draft: 1966, 4th Round, 37th overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers
- Position: Point Guard / Shooting Guard
- Jersey Numbers: Wore #21 and #11 during his career
- Teams Played For:
- Los Angeles Lakers (1966–1968)
- Philadelphia 76ers (1968–1971)
- Baltimore/Capital Bullets (1971–1974)
- Seattle SuperSonics (1974–1975)
- Detroit Pistons (1975–1976)
Career Achievements:
- NBA All-Star: 2 times (1968, 1972)
- All-NBA Second Team: 1972
- Career Statistics:
- Points: 11,819 (16.3 points per game)
- Rebounds: 2,427 (3.3 rebounds per game)
- Assists: 3,498 (4.8 assists per game)
Personal Life:
- Children: Archie Clark is the proud father of eight children and has six grandchildren.
- Siblings: He was the fourth child in a family of 12.
Fun Facts
- Clark was one of the first effective practitioners of the crossover dribble, earning him the nickname “Shake and Bake.”
- He co-founded the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) in 1992, advocating for the rights and welfare of former players.
- After retiring from professional basketball, Clark became involved in various endeavors, including Detroit politics and real estate.
- He ran for Mayor of Ecorse, Michigan, in 1987.
- Clark remains active in the NBRPA and the Detroit-area NAACP, contributing to community development and player advocacy.