Jordan Clarkson playing for the Philippines in the 2018 Asian Games. CONTRIBUTED PhOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Jordan Clarkson represented the Philippines in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia and it remains unclear if and when the Utah Jazz star will get to suit up for the national team again.
But Clarkson’s brief campaign was also worthwhile with the Fil-American guard leading Gilas Pilipinas to its best finish in 16 years.
“In his short and sweet stint with Gilas Pilipinas, Jordan Clarkson showed us not only his world-class talent but also gave us a glimpse of the hard work and dedication necessary to get to that level,” Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio said in a statement.
Clarkson was named the 2020-21 NBA Sixth Man of the Year on Tuesday, becoming the first player from the Utah Jazz to win the award.
“Getting a front-row look at Jordan during the Asian Games made us all believers that he will accomplish great things in the NBA.”
Clarkson, who is eager to suit up for the Philippines in the 2023 Fiba World Cup, played four games for Gilas in the Asian Games. He averaged 26 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
“Congratulations on winning the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, Jordan. The SBP and the entire Philippine basketball community is proud of you,” Panlilio said.
“Once a Gilas, always a Gilas.”
The 28-year-old Clarkson was instrumental in helping the Jazz finish with the best record in the NBA this season, averaging a career-high 18.4 points per game while coming off the bench.