Utah Jazz star guard Jordan Clarkson will join the national team of the Philippines for the tip-off of the Second Round of the Basketball World Cup Qualifiers.
As confirmed by the country’s Basketball Federation, Clarkson will be a member of the team that will compete in the Asian Qualifiers.
“He is very raring to go. That’s what we love about him. And this is also a call to our ‘locals’ – Jordan, an NBA player, is really enthusiastic about playing for our country. I hope that the local players that we tap are just as enthusiastic,” said SBP Executive Director and Spokesperson Sonny Barrios during a recent PSA forum.
Jordan Clarkson and Kai Sotto are joining the Gilas Pilipinas Men in the FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifier Window this coming August 25 to 29.
Via SBP Website » https://t.co/Fgfn5C4Xxs pic.twitter.com/vGnrgAMsoV
— SBP (@officialSBPinc) August 10, 2022
The Philippines are fourth in Group E with a 2-2 record, tied for third with Jordan. They will now face Lebanon on August 25 in Beirut and Saudi Arabia on August 29 in Manila at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
It will be a big matchup against Lebanon in their first game of the window as it will be a rematch from the Group Phase of the recent Asia Cup 2022 where Lebanon went all the way to the Final.
This will potentially be Jordan Clarkson’s FIBA debut, after having already suited up for the Philippines in Asian Games 2018. Utah star guard averaged 26.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game in the tournament.
Jordan Clarkson averaged 16 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists last season, with the Jazz suffering a first-round playoff exit.
