Clarke Looking to Take the Next Step

BOULDER – The first year of college is a learning experience for just about anyone. Now try adding moving thousands of miles from home and an entire college basketball season to that first-year experience.

That's the story of Colorado guard Emma Clarke.

"It was tough," Clarke recalled. "Having to do school work and study as well as manage the heavy time commitment that comes with playing college basketball was a big change for me. Obviously, living away from all my friends and family and the familiarity was challenging at times."

Clarke, a native of Perth, Western Australia, got a slow start to her collegiate story. She had a minor foot injury in the preseason that kept her off the court. Once she worked her way back it was time to leave her Colorado teammates to go represent Australia in India for the U18 FIBA Women's Asian Championships. She missed CU's exhibition warmup and returned to Boulder shortly before the team's season opener.

Individually, the high point of the season for Clarke came during the team's final homestand. She tallied a 6-for-11 shooting performance in her 30 minutes, leading to a season-high 15 points in the Buffs' home finale against Washington.

While the 2018-19 campaign didn't leave anyone around the program satisfied it did bring CU's four-player freshman class into the spotlight.

The Buffs battled injuries and adversity throughout the season. By seasons end, head coach JR Payne inserted each first-year player into the starting lineup, including a three-freshman starting five to open in Colorado's visit to Arizona.

Clarke led CU's freshmen in games played and was one of just four players to play in all 30 games for the Buffs. She closed the season averaging 4.6 points in 15.9 minutes while adjusting to the high level of Pac-12 play.

"It was definitely a higher paced, quicker game than what I was used to," Clarke explained. "The athletes are stronger and it's just overall more competitive."

With that in mind, Clarke is passing up the chance to return home to Perth this summer. Instead, she will continue to work out in Boulder, a choice she hopes continues to help her elevate her game.

The Buffs will continue to build off the adversity they faced last season. The 2019-20 roster figures to be one of the younger teams in the Pac-12. Quinessa Caylao-Do will be the lone senior on a roster with just four upperclassmen, leaving a large responsibility for Clarke and the rest of the second-year players.

"We're going to come out rolling," Clarke exclaimed. "We'll be out there looking for revenge. We're going to play hard and try to prove ourselves."

Colorado University Athletics

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Quinessa Caylao-Do

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