Cliff Clinkscales
| File:Cliff Clinkscales layup.jpg
Clinkscales (rights) tries to get a layup in 2014
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| No. 12 – Halifax Hurricanes | |
|---|---|
| Position | Point guard |
| League | NBL Canada |
| Personal information | |
| Born | March 11, 1984 |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Springfield Gardens (Springfield Gardens, New York) Shores Christian (Ocala, Florida) |
| College | DePaul (2004–2008) |
| NBA draft | 2008 / Undrafted |
| Playing career | 2008–present |
| Career history | |
| 2008–2009 | Erie BayHawks (D-League) |
| 2009 | Rio Grande Valley Vipers (D-League) |
| 2009–2010 | Erie BayHawks (D-League) |
| 2013 | Panama City Breeze (ABL) |
| 2013–2015 | Halifax Rainmen (Canada) |
| 2015–present | Halifax Hurricanes (Canada) |
Clifford "Cliff" Clinkscales[1] (born March 11, 1984) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Halifax Hurricanes of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL). Clinkscales competed in college for the DePaul Blue Demons, after attending Shores Christian Academy in Ocala, Florida.[2] As a high school freshman, he went to Springfield Gardens High School.[3] He has played for teams such as the Erie BayHawks, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and Panama City Breeze in his professional career before joining the Halifax Rainmen.
Early life
Clinkscales was brought up in Jamaica, an area located in Queens, New York City. He was raised by a family friend, Clarence Washington, rather than his biological father. Washington introduced Clinkscales to the game of basketball in his childhood and often used to refer to him as "Cliffy." Shortly before entering fifth grade, he stood 4 ft 8 in (1.42 m) and was noticed in an ABCD camp in Teaneck, New Jersey for his skill set in the sport. Washington said, "He was born with a God-given talent. People don't understand, but they're going to see. When it comes to basketball he has an IQ that's just crazy."[3]
Due to Clinkscales' strong play, newspapers such as the New York Post published stories about him and called him a prodigy. The coaches at college basketball teams such as Kansas and USC began sending him letters. He was reportedly approached by the producers of The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Rosie O'Donnell Show, who wanted to feature his moves on their programs.[3]
Professional career
On May 1, 2015, Clinkscales became one of eleven Halifax Rainmen players that were suspended indefinitely from the league and fined $5,000 Canadian after not showing up in Game 7 of the 2015 NBL Canada Finals against the Windsor Express. The team cited safety concerns following a pre-game brawl.[4]
