Profile: Clark Slajchert

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Photo Courtesy of Clark Slajchert

Junior Clark Slajchert drives a basketball toward the hoop. He currently has offers from schools such as Dartmouth College and Pepperdine University

Junior Clark Slajchert has been playing basketball since the age of four. He comes from a family of successful college basketball players: his father, Davis Slajchert, attended and played for Yale while his brother, Wes Slajchert, who graduated in the Oak Park class of 2018, is now attending and playing for Dartmouth.

Slajchert currently has offers from Dartmouth College, Pepperdine University, California State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of California at San Diego and hopes to receive more offers this upcoming season.

Varsity boys’ basketball assistant coach Tim Chevalier has known Clark since 2009.

“Off the court, Clark is an excellent son, an excellent brother, an excellent friend. I believe that he has strong friendships and makes strong bonds and I think that he’s a genuine person,” Chevalier said. “On the court, Clark is a tenacious competitor. He’s extremely talented in the game of basketball. He’s a natural scorer; he handles and shoots the ball extremely well. He defends when he wants to, and he’s a leader by example.”

Q: What’s your favorite thing about playing basketball?

A: “My favorite thing about basketball is probably how it’s always been there for me. Throughout my life there’s been so many things that come and go like my older brothers leaving for college and stuff, but basketball is the one thing I can always count on, it’s my favorite thing to do and it’s not even close. Plus, I guess I kind of like being better than everyone else at something.”

Q: What are your future aspirations outside of basketball?

A: “There is no such thing as aspirations outside of basketball.”

Q: If you could pick anyone to play with, who would you want on your team and why?

A: “If I could pick anyone to play with, I would definitely pick my older brother, Wes. I played with him for my first two years of high school and it was definitely the best two years of my life basketball-wise. Playing with my brother was an amazing experience and I’d definitely want to play with him forever if I could.”

Q: Name and explain one sport you’ve always wanted to try but never could because ball is life.

A: “If ball wasn’t life, I would play football. Not to brag or anything, but I was probably the best wide receiver in pee wee football.”

Q: What’s your dream career?

A: “I know right after college I want to try to play [basketball] professionally. My trainer played in Germany and one of my other trainers played in Australia so I want to play professionally wherever I can. Honestly, I have no idea what I want to do after basketball.”

Q: What’s your go-to when you’re not at school or playing basketball?

A: “Whenever I’m not at school or playing basketball, I’m playing “Fortnite” … and winning.”

Q: Describe your ideal day.

A: “My ideal day has me waking up around noon to the scent of pancakes, made by my beautiful wife Selena Gomez, heading to the gym at around 2 p.m. and coming back and playing “Fortnite” for the rest of the day while Selena watches and cheers me on.”

Q: What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

A: “I like chocolate and vanilla mixed but I don’t like either one by themselves. It has to be chocolate and vanilla mixed together.”

Q: What three words best define your relationship with the world of basketball?

A: “Love, devotedness and passion.”