Clarke also broke a team record in points scored in an NCAA Tournament game, breaking a record previously set by Adam Morrison. Professional career Memphis Grizzlies (2019–present) Clarke was selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft with the 21st overall pick. On July 7, 2019, the Memphis Grizzlies announced that they had officially acquired the right to Clarke from the Oklahoma City Thunder for draft right to Darius Bazley and a future second round draft pick. With four double-doubles, he was named the most valuable player (MVP) of the 2019 NBA Summer League, becoming the second non-American to win the award. He had 15 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks in the championship game to lead Memphis to the league championship, and earned game MVP honors as well, becoming the first non-American to win championship MVP and the first player in Summer League history to win both honors. On October 23, 2019, Clarke made his NBA debut, coming off the bench in a 101–120 loss to the Miami Heat with eight points, seven rebounds, an assist and a block. On December 18, he scored a career-high 27 points, alongside seven rebounds, in a 122–126 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Clarke again scored 27 points, alongside six rebounds and two steals, in a 111–104 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. On February 25, 2020, it was announced that Clarke would be sidelined because of a right quadricep injury. On September 15, 2020, Clarke was named to the 2019–20 NBA All-Rookie First Team On December 16, 2020, the Grizzlies exercised their team option on Clarke for the 2021–22 season. On January 8, 2021, he scored a season-high 21 points, alongside eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks, in a 115–110 win over the Brooklyn Nets. The Grizzlies qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2017 after a series of play-in tournament wins. On May 29, during the Grizzlies' first round series against the Utah Jazz, Clarke made his playoff debut, playing seven minutes and grabbing one rebound in a 111–121 Game 3 loss. The Grizzlies were eliminated by the Jazz in five games. On October 16, 2021, the Grizzlies exercised their team option on Clarke for the 2022–23 season. On January 28, 2022, Clarke scored a season-high 22 points, alongside three rebounds, in a 119–109 win over the Utah Jazz. The Grizzlies qualified for