Jordan Clarkson considered giving up basketball

Jordan Clarkson considered giving up basketball when his father was diagnosed with cancer last year, according to his stepmother.

Mark Medina's excellent feature on Jordan Clarkson's relationship with his father, who is recovering from cancer, revealed that when the younger Clarkson was struggling on the court last year in the wake of his father's diagnosis, he considered giving up basketball altogether:

"There was all this stuff going through Jordan's head where he wondered if he should just give up basketball and stop playing," said Janie Clarkson. "But we told him he already worked so hard to get to this point and that everything will be fine. Jordan is always about family."

Clarkson, who is averaging 14.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on 45.2% shooting since moving into the starting lineup, has been one of the few bright spots for the Lakers during a historically bad season for the franchise. Clarkson has been playing so well that there are arguments being made for his selection to the All-Rookie first team.

Lakers fans are certainly glad that Clarkson decided to stick with basketball and was acquired by the Lakers on draft night, and it is good to hear that his father is recovering as well.