G: Adam “Budd” Clark (SO)
Height/Weight: 5’10”/155 lbs.
Previous School: Merrimack
2024-25 Stats: 19.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.0 APG, 2.7 SPG, 44.6% FG
Offensive Impact
Clark was tied for 2nd nationally in usage rate last season at 36%. Would expect this number to go down to at least the high 20s, but with how the current projected roster stacks up for Seton Hall, he may play a major role for this offense right away.
Clark ranked 3rd in the nation in assist rate (42.7%), just behind Purdue guard Braden Smith and former Pepperdine guard Moe Odum.
Makes some high level reads out of pick and roll. He is extremely comfortable making pocket passes, lobs, and cross court passes to open shooters.
Gets caught in the air before making a decision at times, and his passes get batted down by longer defenders occasionally, but his 15% turnover rate with such a high assist and usage rate is impressive.
Clark’s scoring comes primarily from his dribble creation in the mid-range and painted areas. 5.4 attempts per game in the mid-range last season (99th percentile).
He gets to his mid-range jumper out of either pick and roll or isolation, where he ranks above the 95th percentile in frequency on both play types. 40.8% FG from the mid range last season.
His high level burst and tight handle allow him to find creases in the defense that most guards can’t. Can stop on a dime and elevates well on his jumper.
Clark has been a decent rim scorer throughout his career despite his small frame. 57% FG at the rim last season, 44th percentile.
Initiates contact and uses angles well. Is also a fantastic defensive playmaker, so many of his layups came off his own forced turnovers. Obviously struggles more to find the rim in a halfcourt setting.
Unsure of how well his interior scoring ability will translate due to the major step up in competition. Wasn’t facing the most daunting interior defenders playing in the MAAC.
Burst and creativity will still be above average Big East traits, so he can still provide scoring value in this area to some degree.
Where the real issues come is with Clark’s perimeter scoring. 23% 3pt shooter during his 2-year career.
His 3pt jumper looks vastly different from his mid-range jumper. Has to load up and doesn’t use his legs well, gets almost no lift and has a funky release.
Somes teams elected to go under ball screens against him, limiting his ability as an interior scorer and playmaker.
This aspect of Clark’s game will limit what he can accomplish off the ball, making him a more boom or bust mid-major transfer.
Clark will almost certainly be the engine for the Seton Hall offense, just as he was for Merrimack the last 2 seasons, but it remains to be seen whether or not this style of play at his size can translate to the Big East.
His lack of perimeter shot creation means he will need to be hyper efficient from the mid-range, and he will also need to be one of the best advantage creators/playmakers in the conference. Clark has the ability to do both of these things, but having a low-quality shot diet + not having elite physical traits could spell trouble.
There are not many power conference players with his usage + play style who have a ton of success. Ceiling is limited and his floor isn’t tremendously high either.
Defensive Impact
Difficult to project Clark’s defensive impact due to playing in an almost exclusively zone scheme.
Will most likely struggle to guard the ball 1 on 1 due to his lack of size. Can’t get switched on to anyone over 6’4”.
Elite defensive playmaker
4.6% career steal rate. Some of his success in this area could be from the aggressive zone defense, but he displays active hands and creates easy transition baskets on the other end.
There is only so much Clark can do as a 5 '10”/155-pound point guard can do, but his turnover forcing upside should be somewhat of a factor.