Tre Clark brings high-level shooting to VCU basketball

Noah Fleischman, Sports Editor

When freshman guard Tre Clark was young, he shot a basketball with his left hand. In fact, he did everything with his left hand, from writing to playing sports. 

That all changed when he was nine, and his dad wanted him to know how to shoot with either hand. Clark said it was difficult at first, but after 10 years of practice, he’s mastered shooting with his right. 

Clark, who is now ambidextrous in basketball, said he models his game around Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving. 

“He’s crafty with the ball and can do anything with either hand,” Clark said. “I’m very versatile and crafty with the ball and [making] plays.”

Shooting with his right hand hasn’t been a problem for Clark; he averaged 20 points and three steals last season at Newton High School in Georgia. 

Last year, in a game against Newton’s rival, Eastside High School, Clark hit the game-winning shot.

“I was ready to knock it down,” Clark said. “It was a rivalry game, so the gym was packed. It was crazy. It was a lot of excitement.”

Clark’s shooting and his ability to force steals fit right into coach Mike Rhoades’ Havoc style of defense. The Rams’ play style is one of the things that attracted him to VCU, Clark said. 

The freshman was not used to the full-court press entering college, but he’s getting the hang of it. 

“It can be tiring, but it’s all worth it because once everyone does their job, it makes it easier on whoever is guarding the ball,” Clark said. 

Clark got a taste of the Rams’ defense in action at the Black and Gold game, where he logged two steals in 13 minutes of action. He logged 6 points in the team’s annual intrasquad scrimmage, catching Rhoades’ eye.

“Tre Clark has great ability, he can really guard the ball and make plays with the ball in his hands,” Rhoades told The Commonwealth Times earlier this month.

Clark was not only introduced to the Rams’ play style but also to the Siegel Center crowd. 

“All the fans, they show a lot of love,” Clark said. “That’s what I like about VCU, all the fans show a lot of love. It’s a great support system.”

The support system also lies in the team’s coaching staff. Clark said he’s comfortable at VCU because of the coaches. 

“The VCU staff shows a lot of love, it’s like family here,” Clark said. “It’s almost like being back at home, where I get a lot of love from my parents and my siblings.”