Texas men’s basketball signed four-star top-50 recruit John Clark on Nov. 13, welcoming their first class of 2025 recruit to the Forty Acres through a video announcement.

“There’s never been a time that I’ve ever been around John and he hadn’t had a smile on his face,” head coach Rodney Terry said in the video. “He’s going to be a terrific player, a versatile forward … (and) he’s going to do it with a smile on his face.”

Ranked at No. 40 by ESPN, the 6 ft 9 in center was recently named to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Boys High School Player of the Year Watch List, composed of the 50 best players in high school basketball this year. 

“John Clark brings a unique blend of finesse and power to the court and the kind of versatility that’s crucial to succeed in the SEC,” said recruiting analyst Blue Zertuche of Great American Shoot-Out, via media release. “He can score with touch around the rim but isn’t afraid to use his physicality when needed. John’s skill set has shown consistent growth over the past few years. Playing against top-tier, athletic competition in the SEC will only accelerate his development.”

Clark has played at Klein Cain High School in Houston from his freshman through junior year of high school. As a junior, Clark averaged 17.8 points and 13.1 rebounds per game while converting 61% from the floor, helping get Klein Cain to the first round of the 2024 UIL Class 6A state tournament. He led all players in Class 6A in the state of Texas in rebounds per game and double-doubles at 22. 

Clark earned a spot on the All-Greater Houston Boys Basketball second team by the Houston Chronicle and got All-Adidas Performer recognition this summer on the 2024 Adidas 3SSB circuit while competing for his Houston club team, T.J. Ford Elite. 

In his time playing for the AAU program, Clark got coaching from former Texas legend, point guard T.J. Ford, and played against other elite athletes across Texas. Ford is in second place on Texas’ all-time career assist list and won the Naismith Award in Texas’ 2003 Final Four run.

Since then, Clark has moved to Branson, Mo. to play for Link Academy his senior year. Similarly, top-recruit freshman forward Tre Johnson moved to Link Academy his senior year before signing with Texas. “Overall, Clark is a very intriguing long-term prospect because his rebounding is a translatable niche from day one and he has all the tools to be a very versatile offensive threat as he continues to develop his frame and become more efficient,” Adam Finkelstein said in a 247 Sports scouting report. “While Clark’s defensive motor may need to rev up at times, he also owns all the physical tools to be just fine on that end too.”