Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Hall of Fame: Clark's induction caps special few months
11/2/2020 5:19:00 PM | General, Women's Basketball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Though she only starred on the Murphy Center hardwood for two seasons, former Middle Tennessee basketball player Alysha Clark left an incredible mark on the Lady Raider program.
She's carried on that legacy into a fantastic professional basketball career that's seen her win multiple championships and awards in the WNBA and internationally.
Right after she arrived in Florida to begin the unique 2020 WNBA season in July, she participated in a Zoom webinar and was told she was a member of the 2020 class of the Blue Raiders Sports Hall of Fame.
"I was just getting down to Florida, so my mind was all wrapped up in what that season was going to look like and getting settled into the season," she said. "To be able to get a call like that … was really, really special."
This year's class will be enshrined during a virtual induction that airs Thursday at 7 p.m. on the Middle Tennessee athletics Twitter, Facebook and YouTube outlets.
It was just the beginning of an exciting couple of months for Clark.
Her Seattle Storm began the shortened WNBA season in the Florida bubble on July 25, and they rolled through the regular season with an 18-4 record, grabbing the league's second seed. Clark started every game and averaged a career-best 10 points per game, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 steals.
The Storm got a bye to the semifinals, where they swept the Minnesota Lynx 3-0 to reach the WNBA Finals against the Las Vegas Aces.
The Aces stood no chance, as Clark and the Storm finished off a perfect postseason with their second 3-0 sweep.
It was the second title in three seasons for Seattle, who also won it all in 2018. While both were sweet victories, Clark said this one meant something a little different.
"This season, we played for a much bigger purpose," she said. "For the Black women in this country, we're often overlooked. To be able to take the court and really learn the stories of these victims and their families and to be able to help carry that load for them, was something that I will never forget."
Clark has transformed herself as a basketball player in the WNBA, and it's easy to see the value she brings to any roster.
She was the best scorer in the country as a Lady Raider in 2009 and 2010, leading the nation both seasons in points per game while winning two Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year honors and being named an All-American in both years. She set the top six single-game scoring marks in program history, including a school-record 50 points, and is a member of the 1,000-point club with 1,756 points, ranking 10th all-time, despite just playing just two seasons.
Clark was also a good rebounder in college, ranking third all-time at MTSU in rebound average, but she wasn't necessarily known as a terrific defender when she was drafted in the second round of the 2010 WNBA Draft by the San Antonio Silver Stars.
Since finding a home with the Storm in 2012, however, Clark has become one of the best wing defenders in the WNBA while still keeping her scoring and rebounding ability.
She was named to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2019 and followed that this season with a first-team inclusion, all while leading the league in 3-point shooting percentage both years.
"My journey in general in the league has been tough … but it just comes with being able to adapt to situations," Clark said. "I credit a lot of that to how I grew up. We moved around a lot, so I was constantly having to be in new environments and situations, and I had to just kind of figure it out. I've also done that in the WNBA.
"It wasn't that I never played defense, it just wasn't a focal point for me in college. To be able to flip that mindset was hard in the beginning."
Winning a championship and at the same time being inducted into the Blue Raiders Sports Hall of Fame have made the last few months incredibly special for Clark.
"To be able to win a championship and to be recognized not only just for my collegiate efforts but for MTSU to recognize me for my social justice efforts off the court too, that really brought it all together for me. It's been really special," she said.
Though she was only at Middle Tennessee for two years, Clark is one of the best to ever don the blue-and-white uniform. She'll now forever be known as a Blue Raiders hall of famer.
She's carried on that legacy into a fantastic professional basketball career that's seen her win multiple championships and awards in the WNBA and internationally.
Right after she arrived in Florida to begin the unique 2020 WNBA season in July, she participated in a Zoom webinar and was told she was a member of the 2020 class of the Blue Raiders Sports Hall of Fame.
"I was just getting down to Florida, so my mind was all wrapped up in what that season was going to look like and getting settled into the season," she said. "To be able to get a call like that … was really, really special."
This year's class will be enshrined during a virtual induction that airs Thursday at 7 p.m. on the Middle Tennessee athletics Twitter, Facebook and YouTube outlets.
It was just the beginning of an exciting couple of months for Clark.
Her Seattle Storm began the shortened WNBA season in the Florida bubble on July 25, and they rolled through the regular season with an 18-4 record, grabbing the league's second seed. Clark started every game and averaged a career-best 10 points per game, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 steals.
The Storm got a bye to the semifinals, where they swept the Minnesota Lynx 3-0 to reach the WNBA Finals against the Las Vegas Aces.
The Aces stood no chance, as Clark and the Storm finished off a perfect postseason with their second 3-0 sweep.
It was the second title in three seasons for Seattle, who also won it all in 2018. While both were sweet victories, Clark said this one meant something a little different.
"This season, we played for a much bigger purpose," she said. "For the Black women in this country, we're often overlooked. To be able to take the court and really learn the stories of these victims and their families and to be able to help carry that load for them, was something that I will never forget."
Clark has transformed herself as a basketball player in the WNBA, and it's easy to see the value she brings to any roster.
She was the best scorer in the country as a Lady Raider in 2009 and 2010, leading the nation both seasons in points per game while winning two Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year honors and being named an All-American in both years. She set the top six single-game scoring marks in program history, including a school-record 50 points, and is a member of the 1,000-point club with 1,756 points, ranking 10th all-time, despite just playing just two seasons.
Clark was also a good rebounder in college, ranking third all-time at MTSU in rebound average, but she wasn't necessarily known as a terrific defender when she was drafted in the second round of the 2010 WNBA Draft by the San Antonio Silver Stars.
Since finding a home with the Storm in 2012, however, Clark has become one of the best wing defenders in the WNBA while still keeping her scoring and rebounding ability.
She was named to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2019 and followed that this season with a first-team inclusion, all while leading the league in 3-point shooting percentage both years.
"My journey in general in the league has been tough … but it just comes with being able to adapt to situations," Clark said. "I credit a lot of that to how I grew up. We moved around a lot, so I was constantly having to be in new environments and situations, and I had to just kind of figure it out. I've also done that in the WNBA.
"It wasn't that I never played defense, it just wasn't a focal point for me in college. To be able to flip that mindset was hard in the beginning."
Winning a championship and at the same time being inducted into the Blue Raiders Sports Hall of Fame have made the last few months incredibly special for Clark.
"To be able to win a championship and to be recognized not only just for my collegiate efforts but for MTSU to recognize me for my social justice efforts off the court too, that really brought it all together for me. It's been really special," she said.
Though she was only at Middle Tennessee for two years, Clark is one of the best to ever don the blue-and-white uniform. She'll now forever be known as a Blue Raiders hall of famer.
Facility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
Rick Insell Conference USA Hall of Fame Announcement
Wednesday, July 09
2025 Blue Raider Blitz Media Panel
Thursday, July 03
MTSU Women's Basketball Coach Rick Insell interview at 2025 Blue Raider Blitz
Monday, June 30
