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Before They Were Teammates: Head-to-Head Between the Lakers' Young Core

Sure, they’re all on the same team now. But there was a time when most of the Lakers’ young core would find themselves going up against their future teammates.

Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, Tarik Black and Anthony Brown all enjoyed stellar college careers, which included a few glimpses into their time in purple and gold.

Jordan Clarkson vs. Anthony Brown (Nov. 26, 2010)
Both players were just five games out of high school when they first matched up against their future NBA teammate.

Ironically, the game took place right down the freeway at the 76 Classic in Anaheim, where Clarkson scored 20 points — the second-most of his freshman year at Tulsa. While Brown countered with six points off the bench, Clarkson was just too much, hitting 6-of-12 from the field and 8-of-12 on free throws to lead his team past Stanford, 65-53.

Others Currently in the NBA:
Dwight Powell (STAN/DAL):
2 pts (0/0), 4 reb
Josh Huestis (STAN/OKC): 0 pts (0/1)

Jordan Clarkson vs. Tarik Black (Feb. 2, 2011)
With Clarkson providing offense off the bench, Tulsa managed to snap a 12-game losing streak to Memphis by sliding away with a 68-65 victory. Clarkson’s 15 points were especially valuable considering that the Golden Hurricane hadn’t won in Memphis since 1971.

Clarkson wasn’t hitting from the field, going just 3-of-8, but he did cash in 7-of-8 free throws to complement Steven Idlet’s 17 points. Tulsa needed all it could get from both to withstand the Tigers, especially Black, who was a monster down low. The freshman tallied 13 points, nine rebounds and four blocks for his hometown team, while shooting 6-of-13 with seven offensive boards.

Others Currently in the NBA:
Will Barton (MEM/DEN):
11 pts (2/8, 6/7 FT), 4 reb, 3 ast, 4 stl

Jordan Clarkson vs. Tarik Black II (March 3, 2012)
Despite Clarkson leading his team with 18 points, Memphis took its revenge over the Golden Hurricane by clinching the Conference USA title with a 78-66 victory in Tulsa. Black finished with only nine points (4-of-7) and three rebounds, but all the Tigers needed was Will Barton, as the future Denver Nugget exploded for 30 points on a 12-of-17 clip.

Clarkson, meanwhile, shot 5-of-12 in his final regular-season game for Tulsa. He would transfer in the offseason, and Black did the same a year later.

Others Currently in the NBA:
Will Barton (MEM/DEN):
30 pts (12/17), 9 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl

Jordan Clarkson vs. Julius Randle (Feb. 1, 2014)
Clarkson found himself at Missouri, where he and future Lakers teammate Jabari Brown turned in a volcanic performance against the No. 11 team in the country. Brown poured in a career-high 33 points, while Clarkson followed with 28 of his own, but Randle and Kentucky took home the 84-79 victory.

Clarkson was a deadeye for most of the game, shooting 11-of-17. He and Brown — who has spent much of the past two seasons with the Lakers and Los Angeles D-Fenders — combined for the most points between Tigers teammates (61) since 1987. However, Randle and the Wildcats were much too efficient. UK hit 53.6 percent of its attempts, while Randle piled up 18 points (7-of-13), nine rebounds (five offensive), three assists and three steals.

Two years later, the teammates shared a laugh about their brief time as opponents.

Others Currently in the NBA:
Aaron Harrison (UK/CHA):
21 pts (6/10, 8/8 FT)
James Young (UK/BOS): 20 pts (8/14, 4/7 3P)
Andrew Harrison (UK/MEM): 14 pts (4/8), 4 ast
Willie Cauley-Stein (UK/SAC): 0 pts (0/1), 1 blk

Anthony Brown vs. Tarik Black (March 23, 2014)
The stakes between future Lakers teammates were never higher than in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. By this time Brown had cracked Stanford’s starting lineup and Black had transferred to Kansas, where the second-seeded Jayhawks met the No. 10-seed Cardinal in St. Louis.

Black did his share, leading all players with 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting while also managing to grab six rebounds. However, he fouled out with 5:25 left in a one-point game and Stanford took advantage. Brown — who finished with 10 points and five boards — hit a key free throw with 12.9 seconds left, as the Cardinal pulled off the upset over Andrew Wiggins and co.

Others Currently in the NBA:
Dwight Powell (STAN/DAL):
15 pts (5/10), 7 reb
Josh Huestis (STAN/OKC): 6 pts (2/8), 8 reb
Andrew Wiggins (KU/MIN): 4 pts (1/6), 4 reb

Head-to-Head Standings
Julius Randle: 1-0
Jordan Clarkson: 2-2
Anthony Brown: 1-1
Tarik Black: 1-2