Flyer Profile: Rotnei Clarke
For the first time in what seems like ages, the Arkansas Razorbacks finally have a consistent shooting guard on the basketball team and his name is Rotnei Clarke.
He comes to us from Claremore, Oklahoma as the all-time leading scorer in state prep history and as a senior at Verdigris High School, he averaged 40.9 points per game. He made 159 three-pointers last year while the entire Razorback basketball team hit only 207.
He’s smart, he’s serious about his faith and he’s a part of one of the most exciting Razorback basketball teams that Bud Walton Arena has seen in a long time.
Despite offers and talks with OSU, OU, Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, Marquette, Gonzaga and who knows how many others, Rotnei Clarke chose the University of Arkansas and now calls Fayetteville his home…at least for a while.
Fayetteville Flyer: What’ve you been listening to lately?
Rotnei Clarke: I listen to a lot of Christian rap.
FF: This is your first year in Fayetteville. How do ya like it so far? Got any favorite hangouts?
RC: I really like Fayetteville. It’s a good college town, but I don’t really have any hangouts yet.
FF: We’ve heard the legendary claim that your daily routine involves making (not taking) 500 shots per day. Is it true and if so, how long has this been going on?
RC: It’s true. I was making 500 a day since my freshman year in high school but since I have been down here, the workouts and practices are so tough it’s hard to get in 500 makes a day so I have cut back.
FF: What did you think when you first heard Arkansas fans “Calling The Hogs?” Did an arena full of people twiddling their fingers in the air saying “Woo Pig Sooie!” kinda freak you out? Just a little maybe?
RC: No it didn’t really freak me out. I thought it was pretty cool and unique.
FF: You wore #15 in high school and now you’re wearing it for the Hogs. However, that was Michael Washington’s number. How did you manage that? He’s way bigger than you so we know you didn’t fight him for it. Did you win it in a 3-point contest?
RC: Nope I definitely could not beat Mike up and we didn’t shoot for it, haha. He wanted 00 so it worked out to where I could get 15.
FF: This team has a lot of new players. How have the older guys prepared you for what’s ahead when SEC play starts? Or have they?
RC: The older players on the team have been setting a good example in practice getting us ready for one game at a time. They will continue to do that through SEC play.
FF: You had a lot of choices when picking a school to play for. Do any of your high school buddies hold a grudge against you for leaving Oklahoma?
RC: No, my high school buddies mess around saying I should have gone to OU or OSU but they wanted me to be happy wherever I went.
FF: Let’s settle this right here. It’s pronounced ROD-ny, not ROT-ny right? Side note: Does it tick you off when people don’t know how to pronounce your name or do you even give a rip?
RC: No, my name is pronounced ROT-KNEE, and no it doesn’t bother me. I am used to being called different things.
FF: What are your expectations for the season? SEC Tourney? NCAA Tourney?
RC: Our expectations are to overachieve, just overachieve period. And hopefully surprise some people.
FF: Whether you know it or not, people here love you. Even my wife is making a shirt that says “I HEART ROTNEI” to wear to the games later this season. You’re not gonna let fame get to your head are ya?
RC: Well I’m happy to hear people like me here, but there is no way I would let any fame get to my head. I try to be a good role model for younger kids and cockiness would not be a good example. I also want to get my testimony out through basketball and use it as a platform to reach out to people because I play the game for God. He has blessed me with the ablility so there is no reason to be cocky.
Discussion
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By Total Bastard on December 16th, 2008
Wow. What a nice kid.
By rcu on December 16th, 2008
It’s great he chose to come here over those other top bball programs. We’re in for some exciting games in the years ahead w/ a true point guard in Fortson, a pure shooter like Clarke and a host of other great talent (most of them freshmen). Here’s wishing them luck on overachieving.
Go Hogs Go
By The Infidel on December 17th, 2008
He’ll have most of our records in two and a half years. Sounds like a great kid, but christians scare the hell out me.
By The Infidel on December 17th, 2008
Great piece by the way guys, I really like the site. Two things for next time – I would learn how to pronounce the guy’s name and I would not say that my wife made shirts that said “I heart “. He he, just kidding.
By Todd Gill on December 18th, 2008
Heh thanks, Infidel. As for his name, we’ve heard some journalists say it’s ROT-Knee and we’ve heard others swear he prefers ROD-Knee. Now we know for sho.
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