COLUMBIA - Missouri does have a one-and-done player after all.
Jordan Clarkson announced Monday he will forgo his final collegiate season and make himself eligible for the 2014 NBA Draft.
Clarkson played one season at Missouri after transferring from Tulsa, scoring 17.5 points per game while leading the Tigers with 3.4 assists. The junior point guard was named an All-Southeastern Conference second-team selection.
"It's hard to find the right words to say because this coaching staff, my teammates, this school and these fans have been so incredible to me during my two years here at Mizzou," Clarkson said. "Obviously this was not an easy decision for me and my family, but it felt like the right time to take this step in my career, especially with graduation this spring. I will always cherish the memories from my time here at Mizzou and will continue to work hard to spread the Mizzou brand as coach (Frank) Haith takes this program to the next level."
Clarkson was named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 list in January and won three SEC Player of the Week honors. He finished among the SEC's Top 10 in several statistical categories, including scoring (seventh, 17.5), assists (seventh, 3.4), field-goal percentage (ninth, .447), assist/turnover ratio (ninth, 1.3) and minutes played (third, 35.1).
Clarkson's father recently found out he has cancer.
"It's been a challenging few months for Jordan and his family, but I am so proud of the way he has handled adversity and has really grown, not just as a basketball player, but as a young man," Haith said. "Jordan is a young man we can all be proud of. He is set to graduate from Mizzou this spring and has embraced this university and this community. While I hate to see him go, I hope he knows he will always have a home here at Mizzou."
Fellow Missouri junior Jabari Brown hasn't made a decision yet regarding his status for next season. The shooting guard led the SEC with 20.1 ppg.
The departure of Clarkson opens up a scholarship for Haith and his staff. The Tigers currently have two players signed for next season, Georgia Mr. Basketball Jakeenan Gant, and wing Namon Wright from Los Angeles.
Missouri has had at least one player drafted into the NBA each of the last two seasons. Kim English (Detroit Pistons) and Marcus Denmon (San Antonio Spurs) were drafted in 2012 and Alex Oriakhi was drafted by the Phoenix Suns last season. Phil Pressey signed a free-agent deal with the Boston Celtics last year and is averaging 13.6 minutes per game, which includes seven starts.