Clarke named to USBWA All-District team

FAYETTEVILLE - Sophomore shooting guard Rotnei Clarke was named to the United States Basketball Writers Associations 2009-10 All-District VII team it was announced by the organization late Tuesday. Clarke, a 6-0 guard from Verdigris, Okla., has been named one of the top shooters in the country by national media sources and this season is poised to set Arkansas all-time school record for three-point baskets in a season. He became just the second Razorback and 15th person in Southeastern Conference history to hit 100 three-point baskets in a single season against Ole Miss last week and is two behind Scotty Thurmans school record of 102 which was set in 1995. The honor for Clarke is the first district honor of his career and his inclusion to the USBWA All-District team is the seventh consecutive year that an Arkansas player has been included on the squad. Other Razorbacks to earn the honor include Mike Washington, Sonny Weems, Patrick Beverley, Ronnie Brewer (two times) and Jonathan Modica. Earlier this week Clarke was also named to the SEC Community Service Team for his work off the court. Clarkes season began with a bang as he set Arkansas single-game scoring record with 51 points against Alcorn St. His 13 three-point baskets in the game were an Arkansas and Southeastern Conference record and he completed the day with seven game, school and league records. His outstanding day earned Clarke his first SEC Player of the Week award. Throughout the season, Clarke has consistently been one of the nations best shooters and currently ranks No. 6 in the nation in three-point baskets per game and No. 9 in three-point percentage. The Razorbacks play in the Southeastern Conference Tournament against the Georgia Bulldogs on Thursday evening at 8:45 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.