Recently we heard a lot of stories and talks about our all time favorite – Jordan Clarkson- playing for our Philippines National Basketball team. The first Fillipino to play every for the NBA, has mentioned that he really wants to play for the National Team, but it should not interrupt his season with the Lakers.
According to news from the Philiipne Star, Jordan Clarkson, will not play this time for the national team, because he needs to ensure his commitment with the LA Lakers:
“In an email to US-based Philstar.com contributor Homer Sayson, Mike Clarkson, Jordan’s father, cited timing as a factor in his son’s decision to pass on the chance to don the country’s colors, emphasizing Jordan’s current commitment with the Lakers in the NBA.
Jordan is in town and has started working out with the nationals.”
Many of us expected Clarkson to play, after it was discovered tha the actually has a Fillipino Passport for quite some time now:
The state of the Philippine national basketball team took an unexpected turn on Monday, August 24, when it was revealed that Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson actually acquired a Philippine passport before turning 16-years-old, making him eligible to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas.
Sonny Barrios, the Director of the team, confirmed that Clarkson can actually play, because he is a “natural born” Filipino player.
While this might come as a disappointment to many of us, Clarkson will get ready for training camp with the lakers. The official Season will start on 4th of October against Utah Jazz. And then our first Fillipino Player in the NBA will play with stars like Kobe Bryant to show Fillipono Pride. Lets root for him!