Jordan Clarkson, the NBA guard of Filipino descent, has confirmed that he will play for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. This is a major boost for the Philippine team, which is looking to make a deep run in the tournament.

Clarkson, who was born in Angeles City, Philippines, to an American father and a Filipino mother, has been eligible to play for the Philippine national team since 2014. However, he had not previously committed to playing for Gilas Pilipinas.

“I’m excited to finally be able to play for the Philippines,” Clarkson said in a statement. “I’ve always wanted to represent my country, and I’m looking forward to playing with the best players in the Philippines.”

Clarkson’s addition to the Gilas Pilipinas roster is a major coup for the team. He is a proven scorer and playmaker, and he will give the Philippines a much-needed boost in its guard rotation.

Clarkson is averaging 16.5 points and 5.7 assists per game for the Utah Jazz this season. He is also a good three-point shooter, making 34.3% of his attempts from beyond the arc.

Clarkson’s arrival in the Philippines has already created a buzz. He has been met with a warm welcome from fans, and he is expected to be a major draw for the FIBA World Cup.

“I’m looking forward to playing in front of the Filipino fans,” Clarkson said. “They’re some of the most passionate fans in the world, and I know they’re going to be behind us every step of the way.”

The addition of Clarkson is a major boost for Gilas Pilipinas’ chances of success in the FIBA World Cup. The Philippines is in Group A with Dominican Republic, Angola, and Italy. Clarkson’s scoring and playmaking ability will be essential if the Philippines wants to advance to the knockout stage.

“We’re a better team with Jordan on the roster,” Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes said. “He’s a great player, and he’s going to be a big difference-maker for us.”

The FIBA World Cup is the biggest basketball tournament in the world. It will be held in Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines from August 25 to September 10, 2023. Gilas Pilipinas will be looking to make history by becoming the first Southeast Asian team to reach the quarterfinals of the tournament.

With Jordan Clarkson on the roster, Gilas Pilipinas has a real chance to achieve its goal. The Philippines is a rising power in basketball, and Clarkson’s arrival is a major step forward for the team.

Written by Winning Plus