Great news for Filipino basketball fans! Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz will be representing the Philippines at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. There were some doubts about Clarkson’s inclusion in the national team, but a recent report has confirmed that he will be suiting up for the hosts next month.According to John Bryan Ulanday of the Philippine Star, Al Panlilio, chairman of the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (Philippine Basketball Federation), announced on Tuesday that Clarkson will be joining the team. This is great news as Coach Chot Reyes had expressed uncertainty about Clarkson’s availability just the day before.
Panlilio also confirmed that Clarkson will be joining the Philippines national team, Gilas Pilipinas, at their training camp in China starting on August 6th. The team will have four tune-up games before facing Iran, Senegal, Montenegro, and Mexico at the World Cup.
Although Clarkson was born of Filipino descent, he had to qualify as a naturalized player for the Philippines due to FIBA’s eligibility rules. He acquired a Philippine passport after the age of 16, which made him ineligible. However, as a naturalized player, he’s proven to be a valuable asset to the team.
Clarkson made his debut for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2018 Asian Games, leading them to a fifth-place finish. He’s now among the top international NBA stars who will be representing their respective countries at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
It’s not just Clarkson who will be lighting up the tournament. Other NBA stars like Jamal Murray and Shai-Gilgeous Alexander will be leading Canada, while Luka Doncic is expected to play for Slovenia. Kyle Anderson will also be representing China after recently receiving his citizenship.
However, it’s worth noting that some of the biggest American players, as well as Nikola Jokic for Serbia, Domantas Sabonis for Lithuania, and Victor Wembanyama for France, will not be participating in the World Cup. Additionally, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s availability for Greece remains questionable after a minor knee procedure a month ago.
Let’s not forget about Clarkson’s impressive NBA career. He has primarily been used as a sixth man since his third year in the league when he was playing for the LA Lakers. After transitioning into a scoring guard off the bench, he won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2021.
Last season, Clarkson became a full-time starter for the Jazz after Donovan Mitchell was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 61 games as a starter, he averaged a career-high of 20.8 points per game and also put up career-highs in rebounds and assists per game. While his shooting percentages dipped slightly, he remained one of the best players off the bench in the league.
Filipino basketball fans can now look forward to seeing Jordan Clarkson in action for the Philippines at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. With his talent and skills, he will undoubtedly be a key player for Gilas Pilipinas as they aim to make their mark on the global stage. Let’s show our support and cheer for Clarkson and the entire Philippine team as they compete against the best in the world! Go Gilas Pilipinas!
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