Who is Jaylen Clark? Timberwolves rookie tasked with being 'Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stopper' in Game 1 vs. Thunder

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch got creative in his efforts to quell Shai-Gilgeous Alexander's impact in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

The Thunder star — and presumptive MVP — is a spellbinding talent with the ball in his hands, adept at slaloming through the trenches, crafting open looks for himself and teammates, and getting to the free throw line at will. If Minnesota wanted to blot the Canadian's influence, it needed to think outside the box.

So, Finch did. The Timberwolves tactician sent a horde of defenders to surveil Gilgeous-Alexander's every move. Included in the mire was a sparingly played rookie whose defensive exploits have earned rave reviews: Jaylen Clark.

Clark relished the opportunity. Fueled by the first-year talent's frenetic approach, the Wolves held Gilgeous-Alexander to just 2-of-13 shooting in the first half. 

Yeah, Jaylen Clark is going to play a lot in this series. pic.twitter.com/RnIz8F8kwb

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With that, here's what you need to know about Clark, the man tasked with helping shut down the league's most prolific scorer in Game 1.

Who is Jaylen Clark?

Clark, a 23-year-old rookie guard, played just three minutes in the opening two rounds of the postseason. The UCLA alum was actually selected in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft, having garnered acclaim for his defensive chops with the Bruins.

Clark spent three seasons at Pauley Pavilion. During that time, he established himself as one of college basketball's most fearsome defenders. After seeing precious little play time as a freshman, Clark stepped into a larger role as a sophomore. He showed flashes as a defense-first talent, although his offensive aptitude came to prominence as the season wore on.

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With Johnny Juzang and Jules Bernard departing, Clark was named a full-time starter in 2022-23. He proceeded to make his mark on both ends of the floor, tallying 13.0 points and 1.9 assists on one end of the floor while posting the fourth-most steals per game (2.6) on the other. For his efforts, Clark was named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Clark tore his Achilles during UCLA's regular-season finale, spelling a premature end to his season and collegiate career.

Clark spent much of the 2023-24 NBA season in recovery, rehabilitating his injury before linking up with the Iowa Wolves, Minnesota's G-League affiliate. Clark took to the floor in 2024 Summer League. In January, he made his NBA debut. His first season saw him average 4.1 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists across 40 appearances.