Clark Clifton Kellogg Jr. was born on July 2, 1961, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the eldest of five children born to Mattie and Clark Kellogg Sr. The family lived on Cleveland’s East Side, where his father worked as a Cleveland police officer and his mother was a homemaker during his early years.
Kellogg attended public elementary and junior high schools in predominantly African-American neighborhoods in Cleveland. In 1975, he enrolled as a freshman at Villa Angela–St. Joseph High School, a Catholic school in the city. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1979 and later attended The Ohio State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing in December 1996.
Kellogg developed a passion for basketball at an early age. He recalled being “in love with the game of basketball ever since [he] was 10 years old.” As a child, he told his mother that he wanted to play professionally and dreamed of reaching the NBA.
| Fact | Details |
| Name | Clark Clifton Kellogg Jr. |
| Birthday | July 2, 1961 |
| Birthplace | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Education | Earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from The Ohio State University in December 1996 |
| High School | St. Joseph High School, now Villa Angela–St. Joseph High School |
| High School Record | Scored 51 points in the 1979 Ohio state championship game |
| College | The Ohio State University |
| NBA Draft | Selected eighth overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 1982 NBA Draft |
| NBA Team | Indiana Pacers |
| NBA Career | Played 260 games from 1982 to 1987 |
| Rookie Achievement | Named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1983 |
| Career Statistics | Averaged approximately 18.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game |
| Broadcasting Career | Joined CBS Sports full-time in 1997 |
| Major Recognition | Received the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2025 |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed or officially verified |
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High School Basketball Emergence in Ohio
Clark Kellogg was a standout basketball player at Cleveland’s St. Joseph High School, now Villa Angela–St. Joseph High School. In 1979, he led his team to the Ohio state championship game and scored 51 points in a 74–65 loss to Columbus East, a mark that still stands as the state finals scoring record.
During his senior year, Kellogg earned national honors, including Mr. Basketball USA in 1979, and played in major all-star games such as the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Capital Classic. His high school career established him as one of Ohio’s most acclaimed prep players and prepared him for college and professional basketball.
Indiana Pacers Selection and NBA Playing Career
After three years at Ohio State University, Kellogg entered the 1982 NBA Draft and was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the eighth overall pick in the first round. He averaged 20.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per game during the 1982–83 season, earning a place on the NBA All-Rookie First Team and finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting. Kellogg was one of only a few rookies ever to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.
He remained the Pacers’ leading scorer and rebounder during his first three seasons, averaging about 18–19 points and 9–10 rebounds per game. During the franchise’s rebuilding period, he became one of its most recognizable players. The Pacers secured a Converse “Special K” sneaker endorsement and frequently promoted his nickname, “Special K.”
Across his five-year NBA career from 1982 to 1987, Kellogg played 260 games for Indiana and averaged approximately 18.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
Career-Ending Knee Injury and Retirement from Basketball
Chronic knee problems cut Kellogg’s NBA career short. After three impressive seasons, injuries began to limit his playing time. He underwent multiple knee surgeries and appeared in only 19 games during the 1985–86 season and four games in 1986–87. The recurring injuries forced him to retire from professional basketball in 1987 at age 26.
Kellogg finished his career with 4,918 points and 2,482 rebounds. His five seasons produced outstanding individual statistics, but injuries prevented him from fulfilling his potential.
Transition into College Basketball Broadcasting
After retiring, Kellogg moved into sports broadcasting. During the 1987–88 season, he began calling Pacers games as a radio analyst while working as a television commentator for Cleveland State University basketball. He joined ESPN’s college basketball coverage in 1989 and worked as an on-air game analyst throughout the 1990s.
Kellogg also handled play-by-play and analysis for regional networks, including the Big East Network and Prime Sports. These roles combined studio work with game analysis and prepared him for a full-time national broadcasting position.
Lead College Basketball Analyst at CBS Sports
Kellogg joined CBS Sports full-time in 1997 as a college basketball game and studio analyst. In July 2008, he became CBS’s lead college basketball game analyst, only the second person to hold the role after Billy Packer. He joined veteran play-by-play broadcaster Jim Nantz as part of a new announcing team.
Kellogg called his first Final Four and national championship game in April 2009 as CBS’s primary analyst for national NCAA coverage. He remained the lead game analyst on the network’s premier announcing team through the 2013–14 season, working alongside Nantz on marquee matchups and tournament finals.
In 2014, Kellogg returned to CBS’s studio coverage, while Greg Anthony assumed the lead game analyst role. During his tenure at CBS, Kellogg became known for his insightful in-game analysis and clear communication.
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Coverage of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
Kellogg has been part of CBS’s annual NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, or March Madness, coverage for more than three decades. He has worked every round of the tournament in both studio and live game roles.
Beginning in the mid-1990s, he co-hosted CBS’s early-round studio segments and the selection-show special The Road to the Final Four. Since 1997, he has regularly served as one of the studio hosts for the first and second rounds, analyzing matchups and storylines.
Kellogg has also provided color commentary for tournament games, often alongside Jim Nantz or other play-by-play broadcasters. His analysis and enthusiasm have made him a prominent voice in March Madness. By 2025, he had covered the NCAA tournament almost every year since 1993.
Kellogg received the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2025 in recognition of his broadcasting career.
Basketball Leadership Through Executive and Advisory Roles
Kellogg has also held leadership positions in basketball organizations. In 2010, he joined the Indiana Pacers’ front office as Vice President of Player Relations, providing players with guidance and support off the court.
In 2016, Kellogg was appointed to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Competition Committee, an advisory group that reviews tournament rules and operations. He has also served on the advisory board of the Capital One Cup, a program that rewards all-around excellence in NCAA athletic programs.
Kellogg has also been involved with educational and charitable boards, including the Ohio State University Board of Trustees.
Clark Kellogg Net Worth
As of 2026, Clark Kellogg’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed or officially verified. His income comes primarily from his broadcasting career as the lead college basketball analyst for CBS Sports.
He also appears as a commentator in the NBA 2K video game series and serves on corporate boards, including RLI Corp and First Merchants Corporation. Specific salary or earnings figures from these activities have not been publicly disclosed.
FAQs
What position did Clark Kellogg play in basketball?
Clark Kellogg primarily played power forward during his college and NBA career.
Did Ohio State retire Clark Kellogg’s jersey?
Yes. Ohio State retired his No. 33 jersey in 2010.
Was Clark Kellogg an All-American at Ohio State?
Yes. He earned All-American honors in his final college season in 1982.
Did Clark Kellogg play for any NBA team besides the Indiana Pacers?
No. He spent his entire NBA career with the Indiana Pacers from 1982 to 1987.
What was Clark Kellogg’s most notable rookie achievement?
He made the NBA All-Rookie First Team after averaging 20.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per game during the 1982–83 season.
Has Clark Kellogg received recognition for his broadcasting career?
Yes. He received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025.
