Ex-Los Angeles Sixth Man Appreciative of Opportunity with Filipino National Team

Jordan Clarkson, the versatile guard for the Utah Jazz, who honed his skills during his early NBA years with the youthful and talented Los Angeles Lakers squad from 2014 to 2018, is thoroughly enjoying his chance to represent Team Philippines in the upcoming FIBA World Cup tournament, as reported by Cesare Milanti of Eurohoops.

Despite being born in Tampa and growing up in San Antonio, Clarkson’s connection to the Philippines runs deep through his mother, who is of Filipina heritage. Consequently, he has been eligible to compete as a naturalized citizen for the national team since 2018.

“It was an enjoyable and truly remarkable experience,” Clarkson remarked. “The turnout and the support we received were phenomenal. As the host city, we definitely felt the enthusiasm. Looking ahead, we’re eagerly anticipating the energy and packed crowds at our upcoming games.”

Reflecting on the recent loss, Clarkson acknowledged, “It’s disappointing, a tough pill to swallow because we were aiming for victory. I didn’t have the opportunity to see out the game, and some aspects of that were beyond my control. I need to avoid finding myself in those situations, particularly with fouls. However, I believe we’ve put that game behind us and now we must focus on the upcoming matches, starting with tonight against Team Angola. They’re known for their physicality, athleticism, and defensive prowess, presenting us with a significant challenge.”