Clark “Mr. Backboard” Elie was born into the world on December 20, 1954. Growing up in Manhattan’s Upper West Side neighborhood, he played ball with his friends and wasn’t the best at it. At Brandeis HS, he ran intramurals, not varsity. In the early ’70s, the group of cats he rolled with all got recruited to play college ball outside New York. Left behind, he decided to attend City College. And that’s when the legend started . . .
“We used to tease him,” childhood friend Greg “Elevator Man #2″ Brown reminisced with me. “But when we all went away, that’s when Clark got 20 times better!” Elie wound up taking a couple of CUNY chips at CCNY, but his legendary tear in the parks began when Greg Brown returned home. The two, along with Clark’s little brother Mario, wound up terrorizing every playground in the vicinity.
“You wouldn’t want to play us!” Brown shared. “We worshipped “Lil’ Leon” [Pegram], and he’d pick us up at 8am every Saturday and Sunday. 108th St. (Riverside Park) and 86th St. (Central Park) were our domain. We’d start playing at the Goat (99th & Amsterdam) and walk our way Uptown to Booker T., Mt. Morris, where ever. Clark would see a dude with a Rucker shirt and say in his head, ‘You think you bad?’ and then crossover shake him to get his banker off. Nothing but backboard, couldn’t miss!”
Lincoln Parker, a Goat Park devotee in the same era, remembered Clark’s shake moves well: “Elie had what I called a backwards speed dribble . . . he’d bring the ball up while sprinting backwards. Dudes wouldn’t know how to cover him!”
Clark style wasn’t inspired by watching the Knicks. “We idolized Joe Hammond and Pee Wee Kirkland!” Greg Brown told me. “One time we took a very expensive cab ride we couldn’t afford from deep Brooklyn after a game just so we could catch them two play at the Rucker.” Other legends of ‘55th that eventually impacted his game were Arnold Dugger, Carlton Green, and Gerald “Dancing Doogie” Thomas.
By the late ’70s, Clark Elie took his pick-up dominance to the level of summer tournaments. He became part of the nucleus for Bill Motley’s Harlem USA squad starting in the Central Park Tournament, which eventually became the most successful team in West 4th St. history, still to this day.
“Harlem USA won nine championships, and did it in maybe 11 or 12 seasons tops,” long time West 4th organizer Rick Johnson told me. “No other team in any era–Primetime, United Brooklyn, X Men–comes even close to that level of dominance.”
Harlem USA was comprised of Clark, little brother Mario (who would eventually go on to win three NBA rings) along with former Chicago Bull/Marquette U. All-American “Sudden” Sam Worthen, Rucker legend Leroy “La Luscious Lee” Shaw, Mike Pyatt (who broke Julius Erving’s scoring record at U Mass), and Anthony Rogers.
“They were the best team ever assembled at West 4th!” opposing coach Sid Jones of United Brooklyn shouted to me. “Clark was the best backboard shooter in that park’s history, too. He’d wear guys like Pete Edwards out!”
“He became accustomed to bringing home a TV from the Wiz,” cousin Gerry Erasme offered. “That was the prize for the MVP.”
“He had the smoothest spin since Earl Monroe,” teammate Sam Worthen said. “And he never missed a game in those years. Ever. He’d be the one to make sure the rest of us were there. That’s how you knew how much he loved the game.”
Clark Elie did damage on other courts, too. He had a successful run in the Michelob 3 on 3 in Morningside Park with teammates Mario, Greg Brown, and Allen Lorick. During the late ’80s, they won five consecutive NYC titles. “We never lost that,” Greg shared. “We had it to a science. When Michelob took it national, we placed 3rd.”
Personally, I became familiar with Clark’s game at our mutual homeland–Goat Park–in 1981. He and I both lived in the same building on 97th St., and the court was directly across the street. Honestly, when I first started playing seriously at age 14, I’d be mad intimidated to run fulls with him or Mario. My brother Ray would talk about how nice Clark was for hours, and Mario was already All-City at national powerhouse Power Memorial HS.
Clark at the Goat was like red beans on top of white rice, basically just a perfect fit. He had that bankshot from either wing up to 18 feet out. He also had two signature moves, both of which I emulated. One was a skip-step inverted spin whereby he’d simultaneously V dribble the ball so that he’d wind up with his body between the rock and defender. It’d automatically create space enough for him to go POW and release the mighty banker. The other was when he’d come down the saucepan full speed and pump fake the pass to a big man, keep the ball as the defender would be burped, and then just lay the ball up unattended like a bird whistling on a tree.
Clark was given the name “Mr. Backboard” up at the King Towers Tournament in Harlem. Announcers Gumby and Ronnie Green would also call him “Fly Elie” (even though they were mispronouncing it “Ee-Lie” when it’s properly “El-Lee”).
The most enduring memory I have of Clark’s game is how he’d bobble his head while running backwards down court after scoring, as if he were nodding his head quickly in affirmation on how nice he was and how no one was gonna guard him. Anyone who grew up playing in the Goat knows exactly what I’m talking about.
On Saturday, October 24, Clark Elie’s vehicle took a spill on the Interborough Highway. He was good dude and will be missed. There will be a viewing at the Ortiz Funeral Home on Thursday October 29 from 4pm-9pm. A service will take place at Holy Name Church on Friday, October 30th at 10am.
Much love to his family.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:48 am
ali says:
condolences to the family. tomorrow is not promised, so make the most of every day we’re blessed with. it sounds like clark did. sorry for your loss KBL.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Kenny Graham says:
Clark was family to 1470 Amsterdam Ave…..
Long time friend & brother to me…..
Great person to talk to….
I love U Clark from the Graham Family…..
PS:If you need old pics of Clark email me at:
kg112660@gmail.com
October 28th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
40 Cal says:
My condolences go out to the Ellie family!
October 28th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Ray says:
I was really sad to hear this news.
Played many games with him at the goat and admired his determination. I ended up going to City College as well. He was a few years older so growing up I’d try and copy his moves on the court. He was the first person to tell me to “stop” dibbling and just shot the ball or pass it to him.
I aways considered him one of the best ball players I ever knew. Really good guy as well, focused, no non-sense, no trash talking, one of the guys who went to College instead of hanging out, and continued to play ball the rest of his life.
Really sorry to hear he has passed away so suddenly.
Thanks to Bob for writing an article about him.
October 28th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Ray Echols says:
A great Mentor, Teacher (of life & how to be a man), Friend & Family forever. Much love & respect to the Family for our lost. You will be missed but never ever forgotten, Big Bro.! Love You, My Teacher!
October 29th, 2009 at 12:57 am
Tracy Steward says:
Clark was a very close friend who will be truly missed. He was my coach at 11 0clock (Saturday basketball tournament in Frederick Douglas Center) He was a mentor, someone you could go to and get good advice and positive words from. He was a teacher, always showing the younger kids the value of staying in school and becoming anything you wanted to be. I grew up in Douglas and went to Holy Name School (The church where his funeral will be held, the same school where I use to school a young Bobito in the first grade in ball…lol). I watched Clark and Mario play ball many of times in the Goat Park and I must say, his shot was bananas..He will missed tremendously. My condolences go out to the Elie family. May God keep you strong during this time and may he shine his light upon the family…
October 29th, 2009 at 5:27 am
Tony (AKA Caboobee) Lee says:
We have lost a great one, but the mentorship clark gave to me and others – will keep him living for ever. Bless his family because he won’t be here in body, but always in heart and soul.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:25 am
funkalot says:
Very sad news for someone so young in life. Today, 50 is the new 40, as people are living longer. I guess we take care and continue to push forward doing the things which make us truly happy; like enjoying family, friends and passions like ball.
Ball 4 ever Clark!
October 29th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Darryl Myers says:
This was sad and shocking to all of us. A mentor and friend, Clark was almost impossible to guard at Goat Park. Whenever I played with or against him, it was like having personal lessons on how to play this game. I will always remember him and the things I learned from him on and off the court.
October 29th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
wight martindale says:
Bobbito- So good of you to write something so good and so promptly.
Clark was a great gentleman, a terrific competitor–I would be happy if all my kids and grandchildren grew up like him. One of the most thoroughly decent and stand-up men I ever knew. He took me to one of his brother’s playoff games because I had been helpful in financing his team at West 4th Street. This was totally unnecessary, but for Clark it was necessary–He would not accept a kindness without making an effort to out-give the giver. Which of course is what he did with everyone who knew him.
He and his family have my prayers. A wonderful man; now in a better place.
Wight Martindale, Jr.
October 29th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Richie Parker says:
Rest in Peace. I’m still in shock. Clark was a person i looked up to grewing up. I still remember our full court games every night in douglas center. Clark always was there to push individuals to achieve the best in life. I bro gone to soon. Clark may u rest in peace. Never forgotten. My prayers go out to the family.
MUCH LOVE CLARK
Rich Parker
October 29th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Frank Covich says:
I just talked with Clark a few weeks ago. I lived in new york for 15 years and we became very close. When I needed to moved to California, 13 years ago, he came and helped me load my truck, I played in hundreds and hundreds of games with Clark it was such an honor. I am so sad for his wonderful mother, his sister, wife, kids and brother Mario. Clark was like my brother, we did so much together. Every person who I ever met in new york who played basketball respected clark for his cool, his clean play and his uplifting spirit. I saw his loyality to his lifelong closest friend Robert Blue, when someone tried to come after Blue in a basketball schoffel. Clark jumped at this person attacking his friend with all he had. When you were clarks friend, you had someone always looking out for you. To all of his other friends some I know and many I never met we will all morn for the rest of our lives, we will never be the same as Clark was a model, person, our friend, my friend who I miss so much all these years, I look at his picture on my desk every day from a snapshot at a game we played at in new jersey 16 years ago. I loved Clark, God Bless Him. Frank Covich, frankcovich@yahoo.com
October 29th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Dwayne Seignious says:
Clark Elie you were here a short time but you touch so many of us with your love,wisdom and friendship.Clark im glad GOD allowed me to crosspaths with you in life,Clark what I loved about you was you always challege me in life to be better and never settle for anything but success and when you get there Don’t forget were you came from.I glad when saw you I was able to say thank you for beening Mr.Clark Elie. (greatly miss from the Seignious & Johnson family)
October 30th, 2009 at 8:34 am
amyas naegele says:
My heart felt condolences to Mario, the Ellie family and his brothers on the court and off. I had the great honor to team with Clark, and play against him, in countless games in Central Park, in the gyms and on Columbus and 104th and 83rd streets and farther afield. There was no better team mate and no better opponent than Clark. When up you set a pick for him and you got the roll. When you found him on the arc the banker went down. He made even me, a slim white dude, look good and more importantly feel good. You always played your best with Clark; I don’t ever recalling losing with him on the side. And as an opponent it was the same. He played fair and hard, scooped rebounds out of the air with those meaty paws and was forever in your way backpedaling down the court with that famous head shake. It commanded the best in all of us. Years ago when the Knicks were in the championship round against one of Mario’s teams Mario was in traffic on a fast break, he spun around, stopped and with his back to the basket and the ball held low in both hands shuffled it off to a teammate for two. Now, I don’t know the origin of that move but I had seen it somewhere before. If there’s a heaven the ancestors better keep their eyes open: that pass is on its way. We’ll miss you Clark.
October 30th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Denine Isaac says:
Our HEARTFELT condolences to Mario and the Elie Family for the untimely loss of Clark from the Simmons and Isaac Family in Douglass Houses! You guys were our big Brothers and we will never forget all the great ball games attended at The Goat and King Tower Tournments!!! Clark was not only a GREAT ball player! He was a wonderful man, who was a great mentor for many of us and will be missed by many!!! We will always LOVE YOU Clark!!!
Denine
October 30th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
jmillsthe1 says:
life is so crazy here today gone tomorrow i have known clark for along timed wored for him in summer youth when i was a teen wored with him when i got older an now he is gone ,gone but never forgotten R.I.P CLARK ELIE
October 30th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Joe George says:
I had the pleasure of having my ankles broken by the SKILL of Clark. He was a versatile man on and off the court. R.I.P. Clark. My condolences to the Elie family from the George family
October 30th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Eric Weaver says:
The world has lost a great human. Clark was good brother who touched many lifes men,women and kids. I wish the family.the best in gods name.
October 30th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Sammie Harkless says:
My condolences to the Elie Family for the loss of a great person Clark Elie. Growing up I use to run over to 99th st in back of PS 163 and watch Clark ball. The bank was always open for him and yes his moves was sound, but what caught my eye about clark is that he always true to the game and played it right. Very kind and polite but a stone cold killer on the court. A few years back at the Fathers Day games I ran into Clark and he says ” hey sammie how you doing?” I never thought he knew me or saw me back then but he did. Clark we will all miss you and never forget you
Sammie Harkless & the Harkless family
October 30th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Tony Greene says:
I played with Clark at CCNY. We used to room together on road trips and had an unsettled argument over who was the shortest player on the team. But there was little doubt over who on the team had the biggest heart. Clark was just a winner and a person that I have always been proud to call my teammate. On the court, my favorite recollection of Clark was seeing him lay a dude up and then not saying a word, just slyly looking the guy in the eye and trotting back up court chuckling to himself. To me that was so much more devastating then all of the theatrics and posturing that goes on nowadays when guys score meaningless baskets. Clark also had an eye for talent. In those days the big high school players in NYC were Albert King and Sidney Green, but Clark was forever telling us, “You’ll had better watch out for my baby brother” Obviously he knew what he was talking about and I always took a vicarious pride in Mario’s career. This is a real tragedy and I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to the Elie family.
October 31st, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Tobey W. Gray says:
My deepest condolences to the entire Elie Family. Everything that was said about Clark was very true and witnessed by myself. I and my family have sinced moved to Kentucky and every year back to the city one the fixtures that I looked forward to was seeing Clark and having conversation with him. Often times I would call the center to speak to him and was always glad to hear him tell me about what was going on in the city. He was a very kind soul and will be truly missed GOD BLESS YOU Clark Elie. Pastor Tobey Gray
November 1st, 2009 at 12:05 am
Bill Garcia says:
My heartfelt condolences to the Elie family. I’m glad Bob and Ray were able to pay respects to the family in person. Wish I could have been there as well. Bob, your article was a great tribute to a good man. I always looked up the Clark as a person and of course as a prolific street ball player. I could never forget his head bobbling while running down court after making a unstoppable move. I remember Clark spending countless hours at the Goat, running fulls, coaching Mario, and just being a cool brother, mentor and role model to many. I’m saddened by the news.
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Sam Harkless says:
My condolences to the Elie family. Clark was a very smooth brother that a lot of people respected and loved. R.I.P. Clark
sam Harkless
sy57us@yahoo.com
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:11 pm
marlene (dubois) berthaud says:
It was a tribute to the kind of person clark was seeing the great number of people that showed both for the wake & the church service. My deepest sympaties to the family. Marlene
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Frank Covich says:
Being 3000 miles away and still in shock. I would like to add to the statements of praise for Clark. People who know him were witness to his kindness to children, he was a master motivator. Clark was around me when they told me that my son was blind. Clark was a true friend. As the years passed he talked to my son Skylar as he grew up. Clark gave my son a sense of greatness, he gave him confidence, he always talked of such reverence about me to my son. He related to being a champion and yet always humble, polite, he talked of his love for his brother and sister and showed my son better than I could have ever stated that loyalty to family and friends is the staff of life. I told my son many times that Clark was my most cherished friend that he inspired me during my most frustrating times. Clark was always there for me as the years went by. Skylar is now 22 and he is considered by most as one of the top college students in America. He is away at Graduate school UCSB phd program. I believe that Skylar always felt that his father having Clark as a friend meant that I had the best people around me, champions of life that were special spirits who guided me to help him excel. Clark helped me so much over the years with his positive example. I must state again, I loved Clark and God bless him.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Shawn Dove says:
Bobbito, thanks so much for this wonderful piece on Clark Elie. I remember growing up playing with Mario (or at least trying to!) and eventually playing against Clark in the West 4th Street tournament. He definitely backed up the cockiness and I remember him posting me up and, though I was taller and heavier, yelling to his teammates “I got a mismatch over here throw me the ball.” Needless to say I was hit with a fadeaway banker. His game is legendary, but the service he delivered to his community and the work he did for years at the Children’s Aid Society to steer young men in the right direction is the most powerful legacy he leaves. My prayers are with the family.
Shawn Dove
November 6th, 2009 at 1:00 am
Charles "Conan" Robinson says:
I set a whole lot of picks over the years playing with clark and mario when we played together for “HARLEM USA”.It got to a point that I would not even have to look back after setting a good pick for clark because the sound of the back board let me know the shot when in. Clark and Mario have always represented with style and class and I’m a better man for knowing them both….R.I.P Clark!
November 11th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Lisa says:
My condolences to the Elie family.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:47 am
Ray Lugo says:
Peace and love to The Elie family. Clark was a decent and well respected human being. He will be greatly missed.