“With Xavier, we have someone who is coming from a winning program, and he understands accountability and responsibility,” said Greyhounds’ head coach Chris Parker. “He knows what it takes to truly excel on the court.”
“We see him playing the post, but in our system, he’s also going to have some ball-handling assignments and will play what we call a ‘step-out four.’ He has a nice touch and can shoot the ball, but we’re also very impressed with his footwork around the basket.”
Clardy, 6-6, helped the Wampus Cats win a state championship during his sophomore year, and he later became the Cats’ defensive stopper and leading rebounder. Clardy frequently drew the assignment of checking the other team’s best offensive player.
“He guarded some of the best in the state in the 7A/6A Central,” said Conway coach James Bates. “He’s a really hard worker. Night in and night out, he’s going to be there.”
“I think you’re getting a good one. I think his upside is really good, and he’s getting stronger. And I also think he’s probably not full grown yet.”
While not a prolific scorer in high school, “he’s capable of putting points on the board,” Bates added. “He should benefit from the opportunity to not always being guarding the other team’s best player like he had to do in our conference.”
Clardy averaged seven points and six rebounds for a program that appeared in the 7A state tournament all three years he played.
The new Greyhound has a good basketball pedigree as his father, Terry, is a longtime high school coach, including a 12-year stint at Palestine-Wheatley High School in neighboring St. Francis County. The elder Clardy currently coaches at Conway Middle School.
“With his father being a career basketball coach, his basketball IQ is very high, and that’s another thing that really drew us to him,” Parker said.
In addition to his talents on the court, Clardy is a performer in the classroom as well.
“He’s a good student, and the teachers really compliment his demeanor and work ethic in the classroom,” Bates pointed out. “He’s there and ready to go to work every day, just like he is on the basketball court.”
Parker said he appreciates Clardy’s attitude and work ethic.
“Off the court, we’re getting a young man who is very disciplined and who comes from a great home. I am confident that he will work as hard as we ask him to.”
Other 2012-13 Greyhound signees include Damar Reed of Star City High School, T.J. Handley and Rodney Ollison of Watson Chapel High School, Tyrone Willis of Morrilton High School, Larry Ziegler of Sylvan Hills High School, and Marquavious Smith of Germantown (Tenn.), High School.
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