As much as Smart Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes salivates on the thought of Jordan Clarkson donning national team colors, he knows that the Fil-Am guard’s status is much more complicated than what meets the eye.
“Jordan is just there. I just want everyone to understand it’s not that simple with him wanting to play and us wanting him to be here,” Reyes said.
Clarkson still has not resolved his eligibility problems with Fiba as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) yet to prove if the Los Angeles Laker indeed carries a Philippine passport before the age of 16.
Jordan Clarkson during one of his practices with Gilas Pilipinas. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Adding to that is the scheduling conflict with 2019 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers running straight right into the NBA season from late November to mid-February.
“There is also a little matter of the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA. Clarkson can’t easily say that he wants to play or we can tell him that he can come. He has to get a clearance,” Reyes said.
The case is the same with other NBA players wishing to suit up for their respective national teams, with the United States forced to parade standouts from the NBA G-League coached by Jeff Van Gundy.
“If you notice, Team USA released its lineup last week and there’s no NBA player, not one,” said Reyes. “If Team USA didn’t have any NBA player, what more for us? It’s not that simple.”
For now, Gilas can just hope that the 25-year-old Clarkson will be able to play for the Philippines down the line.