LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Two years after committing to play for The Ville, Earl Clark is finally ready to suit up.
The former Louisville star and 2009 NBA lottery pick has officially signed with The Ville, the University of Louisville alumni team competing in this summer’s edition of The Basketball Tournament (TBT), organizers announced Tuesday.
In their post announcing the addition, organizers of The Ville said, "We heard you Card Nation!"
Clark was originally slated to join the squad in its 2023 debut but withdrew late due to overseas contractual obligations. Now, in year three of the team’s run, the 6-foot-10 forward brings size, experience, and a strong Louisville pedigree to a roster that’s increasingly stocked with Cardinal talent.
He joins fellow former U of L standouts Russ Smith, Montrezl Harrell, David Johnson, and Peyton Siva on the 2025 squad. Louisville natives Jay Scrubb and David Sloan have also signed on. Luke Hancock will coach the team, with Siva and former U of L assistant Mark Lieberman on staff.
Clark, a McDonald’s All-American out of Rahway, New Jersey, helped lead Rick Pitino’s Cardinals to a Big East championship and the program’s first-ever No. 1 national ranking during the 2008-09 season. That year, he led the team in scoring (14.2 points), rebounding (8.7), and was second in assists (3.2).
He was selected 14th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2009 NBA Draft and spent parts of six seasons in the league with the Suns, Magic, Lakers, Cavaliers, Knicks and Nets before launching a successful overseas career.
Most recently, he averaged 18.0 points and 8.9 rebounds for the Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers in Taiwan’s P. League+.
TBT is a 64-team, single-elimination tournament with a $1 million, winner-take-all prize. Its unique “Elam Ending” format eliminates intentional fouling late in games by instituting a target score — eight points beyond the leading team’s score — at the first dead ball under four minutes in the fourth quarter.
Once again, The Ville will serve as a regional host, with games set for July 19-23 at Louisville’s historic Freedom Hall. In a first for the tournament, regional hosts now have the potential to retain home-court advantage all the way through the championship game.
For Clark, that means his long-awaited TBT debut — and return to a Louisville uniform of sorts — could stretch well into the summer.
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
