Cliff Clinkscales

04/26/04: Moved to inactive.

04/14/04: Changed from a 4 to 1 because of Jihad Muhammad's signing. - Mike Ryan

04/12/04: "The Brooklyn, New York native has his sights set on two schools for official visits: Cincinnati and Maryland. He has already unofficially visited Florida State two times. He gave us his thoughts on the three programs. "The situation at point guard is pretty good for someone coming in (to Cincinnati),” Clinkscales said. “Plus they have Roy Bright coming in and James White is on the wing. Plus, throw in Jason Maxiell. They’ll really push the ball with those guys. I think I can help them get to the Final Four.” - www.RivalsHoops.com (added his file at 4)

03/27/04: "For Shores, 36-6 this year, it all starts with Clinkscales, the talented point guard who has drawn interest from several Division I, as well as top JuCo programs, around the country. "He was phenomenal," (head coach Danny) Smith said. "With his floor vision, passing ability and team leadership, he is going to do well at the next level." - Ocala Star Banner

03/24/04: (Multiple game report) "Senior point guard Cliff Clinkscales and junior shooting guard Terry McKenzie each hit 20. Clinkscales, a blue chip candidate for Division I NCAA schools, buzzed the crowd with a typical outing of masterful assists, dishing 13. (snip) senior guard Cliff Clinkscales controlled the floor with his quick ball handling and dazzling ability to both shoot and feed the perfect pass through heavy traffic. His 24 points and 14 assists stole the show and marked his 25th double-double in 36 games played this season. He expects to make a late spring or early summer decision for college. "Someone's always recruiting him," Smith said in an earlier interview. (snip) When they inbounded, Clinkscales allowed two bounces, saving a couple of seconds before pressure came. He then drove between two defenders and recognized that the whole defense was ready for him to drive for the tying basket. That's when he kicked the ball way left to his cousin, Terry McKenzie, who was poised with his feet planted, knees bent, ready to shoot from just beyond the arc. McKenzie (16 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal) launched a beauty, finding nothing but net at the buzzer. Shores 56 Prince Avenue 55. The Tigers were national champions. Cliff Clinkscales also had thoughts on the team's experience in Tennessee, as well as a high appreciation for his coach. "This was a real big win for our program at Shores Christian Academy, for us to be recognized as one of Florida's best teams, not by winning a state title, but by winning a national title. It was a great win for the two seniors going out, Andre and me. It's also an excellent confidence-booster for our underclassmen who plan to return -- Terry, Josh, Tommy, Daryl, and Coley. This was not only a great win for our two seasons, but a great win for our coach, Danny Smith, who is the best in Marion County, but gets overlooked by these big public schools. He's a great teacher and a good guy on and off the court. The one thing he helped me improve the most was how to talk to my teammates and pick them up when they're down."

When asked what he likes best about basketball, Clinkscales said, "Basketball keeps my mind off all the negative stuff in life that might drag me down or put me around the wrong crowd. This was a great group of guys. We really started to gell together at midseason. When we lost two players, we came together instead of falling apart." Clinkscales and McKenzie each joined teammate Henry Chisolm as recipients of NACA All-Tournament Awards. Clinkscales was voted by coaches as the tournament's Outstanding Player." - iHigh.com


03/16/04: "The pass-happy, quick point guard from Shores Christian Academy in Florida is averaging 21 points and 12 assists for his team that is 33-6 on the season. "He's extremely smart with excellent floor vision," said Shores Christian head coach Danny Smith. "He's a good team leader, our floor leader, he's a great defender and a tough kid." - www.CardinalSports.com

02/21/04: "Shores Christian blew away the regional competition in the Florida Christian Athletic League with a 84-21 drubbing of Peniel Academy in the District 1 boys varsity basketball championship game Friday night. Clinkscales led all scorers with 26. The guard also handed out 15 assists, grabbed six boards and swiped three steals." - Ocala Star Banner

02/09/04: "They’ll be in the Big East next year and I have a lot friends and players that I respect in that conference,” Clinkscales said. “I want to go to a place where I can compete against great point guards." (he is originally from NYC) - www.RivalsHoops.com

02/02/04: "The Atlanta Celtics struggled through last summer despite boasting arguably the most talented frontline in the history of AAU hoops. The reason was the lack of a floor leader. All that changed when Cliff Clinkscales joined the squad. "He’s heady and is an unbelievable passer,” Shores Christian coach Danny Smith said. “It’s amazing the way he sees the floor and gets his teammates involved. His shot has really improved this season."

"I make people better,” added Clinkscales. “I set people up for their own shots and get everyone involved. Some people say I pass too much."

Clinkscales, a 6-foot, 165-pound senior point guard at Ocala Shores Christian (Fla.), is still unsigned. Clinkscales, a pass-first floor leader who hails from Queens, N.Y., is looking at Florida State, Clemson, South Florida, Georgia, St. Bonaventure and Rhode Island." - www.theInsidersHoops.com (snip)

11/27/03: Listed as the 47th best player in prep school. (V Banks - 11th, J Habel - 34th) - HoopScoop