Fil-Am Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson wants to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas

For Filipino-American cager Jordan Clarkson, the Philippines' passion for basketball is one of the main reasons why he is proud to represent the country in the NBA.

 

“After one of the natural disasters they had over there, I saw a picture where it’s flooded and kids are still playing basketball with the hoop still standing,” the Los Angeles Lakers point guard told NBA.com.

 

Clarkson has been touched by the Filipinos' love for the game, which also manifested itself in the support he received from kababayans despite just nine months in the league.

 

“In Detroit, there was a big group that came to watch us play against Detroit [Pistons],” he said. “They had a Filipino Heritage Night. I got to speak with them, take pictures, all that stuff. It’s crazy. I didn’t know it was going to be that much support from a fan base like that."

 

 

Clarkson, who is born to a Filipina mother, said he wants to wear the Gilas Pilipinas uniform and represent the country as part of the national team. He is ineligible as of the moment because of a FIBA rule requiring players to get a dual citizenship at the age of 16, but the 22-year-old said he is looking to secure an exemption.

 

“It definitely would mean a lot,” he said. “It’s just one of those things you want to do, like how I want to make my city proud and make that country proud as well.” —Marisse Panaligan/JST, GMA News