Jordan Clarkson commits for Filipinos, to banner Philippines’ World Cup marketing campaign

The lengthy, anxious wait is lastly over for the hoop-crazed Filipinos.

Jordan Clarkson — the Philippines’ best within the NBA — is about to finish the nation’s slate on the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup this 12 months, per Homer Sayson of SPIN.PH.

Philippine Basketball federations chief Al Panlilio made the official announcement on Tuesday as Clarkson is anticipated to land his foot on Filipino soil on Aug. 6.

Filipino high mentor Chot Reyes positioned the Aug. 1 date as the ultimate day for the microwave guard to report back to the nationwide camp earlier than they head to China for a five-day pocket event. However a mutual settlement with Clarkson’s social gathering in the end allowed the Fil-Am star to make a late arrival.

“It’s a superb day for Philippine basketball. With Jordan Clarkson on board, the SBP appears ahead to a aggressive displaying towards the very best in our area,” Panlilio said.

Speculations have been not too long ago scattered round Clarkson’s World Cup availability as he and Filipino phenom Kai Sotto are the one two gamers from the present collaborating pool of the nation who haven’t practiced but with the nationwide squad. Sotto took days to reach within the Philippines as he not too long ago participated within the 2023 NBA Summer season League outing of the Orlando Magic.

As such, the recent shot veteran is now assumed to take the naturalized mantle for Gilas Pilipinas with native basketball star and import Justin Brownlee set to maneuver as his important reserve.

Clarkson, 31, completed his ninth 12 months within the NBA with the Utah Jazz by averaging a career-best 20.8 factors, 4.4 assists, and 4.0 boards for 61 common season video games within the 2022-23 season. His stable particular person season output netted him a three-year extension with the membership this offseason which pays him over $55 million in complete.

The previous NBA Sixth Man of the 12 months repped the Philippine flag in final 12 months’s FIBA qualifying tourney for 2 video games, tallying 25.0 factors, 6.5 assists, and 5.5 rebounds towards Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

The Philippines, one of many three hosts of the World Championships, will play towards Angola, Italy, and the Dominican Republic within the group section.

The addition of Clarkson is important for the Philippines as they purpose to compete for themselves to occupy a seat on the 2024 Olympics as the very best group in Asia on the World Cup. China (Kyle Anderson) and Jordan (Rondae Hollis-Jefferson) have made their very own current naturalized transfer to bolster their very own odds to guide a ticket to Paris subsequent 12 months.