As Jordan Clarkson took the floor in the Lakers’ tilt with Oklahoma City on Sunday, he was greeted by a longtime friend and first-time foe: Andre Roberson.
Clarkson — who did not play in L.A.’s first matchup with the Thunder on Dec. 19 — relished the chance to finally match up against Roberson, his best friend since second grade.
“We’ve known each other since elementary school, so it’s been a while,” Clarkson said. “That’s like my brother. We’ve done everything together since we were little. He lived right down the street from me and everything. His family is my family, so it’s cool to be out there on the same court as him.”
After a childhood of growing up together in San Antonio, Clarkson and Roberson attended Wagner High School, where they led the Thunderbirds to back-to-back state semifinals appearances in 2009 and 2010.
Clarkson says that Roberson’s game was much like it is now: defensive-oriented with an additional focus on rebounding. Likewise, the Thunder’s starting small forward says that the high-flying Clarkson has always had flash in his play.
“He was a great player,” Roberson said. “Put on a show for the fans. He went out there, gave it his all (and) did what’s best for the team. We both put each other in great position to win every night.”
Meanwhile, Wagner head coach Rodney Clark — who was an assistant during Clarkson's high school years — remembers his leadership even more than his skill.
“He knew he was the best one on our team by far, but he never tried to upstage anybody,” Clark said. “He tried to bring everybody along with him for the ride. When it got to certain points in games, he tried to put everyone on his back, and if he could he would. If not, he would find a way to get somebody else involved.”
Five years after the duo played their final season at Wagner, Clarkson and Roberson returned to the gym where they ascended to the top of the Texas high school rankings. On Feb. 13, both players made the trip to San Antonio during the All-Star break to have their jerseys retired by the program.
“It’s a blessing,” Roberson said. “I don’t take it for granted. … Some of the teachers are still there, so it was great to see familiar face and just the community and the support that they gave us.”
And the school is thankful for the Clarkson and Roberson as well. In particular, Clark is able to point to his former players as a source of motivation for his current team.
“I tell them, ‘Those guys came into athletics and this school, and they worked their tails off the whole entire time,’” Clark said. “They didn’t take days off, like, ‘Oh, I just want to be lazy today.’ They had a goal, and if you want to reach a goal, you have to work at it. It’s not just going to be given to you.
“Jordan was always in the gym somewhere doing workouts. … He had a dream to go Division I and then go to the NBA. Well it’s not just going to happen as you just sit there and watch TV all day. It’s not just gonna vicariously jump in your body and you’re going to be a 6-foot-5 point guard."
After Wagner, Clarkson played college ball for Tulsa and Missouri, while Roberson went to Colorado. Now that both are in the NBA, the two still don’t see each other as much as they did in high school, but that hasn’t affected their friendship.
“It’s been the same,” Clarkson said. “Every time I’ve got a break, we go somewhere. We hang out and stuff like that. Back during All-Star break, I was with him all that time. He’s still my brother. Nothing’s changed.”