Jordan Clarkson and Justin Brownlee. –FIBA PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines—Naturalized players Jordan Clarkson, Justin Brownlee, and Ange Kouame bannered the 21-man Gilas Pilipinas pool for the Fiba World Cup 2023 in August.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas unveiled its pool for its historic hosting of the World Cup late Tuesday evening.
NBA star Clarkson, who played in the fourth window of the Asian Qualifiers last August, will be part of the team’s buildup with fellow naturalized players Brownlee and Kouame.
Brownlee also had an impressive stint for Gilas, debuting in the final window last February and bringing back the Southeast Asian Games gold to the Philippines last month in Cambodia.
Kouame, meanwhile, helped the national team qualify for the Asia Cup during the 2021 qualifiers before he suffered a knee injury last year.
Only one of the three naturalized Filipinos in Clarkson, Brownlee, and Kouame will make it to the final roster.
Gilas also tapped 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto, ending the speculations of his unavailability after he recently expressed that he remains committed to the national team. Coach Chot Reyes also said the team needs the Filipino prodigy, who is still chasing his NBA dream with an upcoming Summer League stint in July.
Also part of the initial roster are Japan B.League stars Dwight Ramos, the lone player to see action in all Asian Qualifier windows, Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Carl Tamayo, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., and Jordan Heading.
June Mar Fajardo, who played in the past two World Cups, was also called up along with his fellow PBA stars Scottie Thompson, CJ Perez, Roger Pogoy, Jamie Malonzo, Japeth Aguilar, Poy Erram, Chris Newsome, and Calvin Oftana.
Returning Gilas player AJ Edu also made it to the pool as well as Korean Basketball League champion Rhenz Abando, who debuted for the national team in last year’s third window and the Asia Cup.
Gilas Pilipinas is slated in Group A, kicking off its campaign against the Dominican Republic on August 25 at Philippine Arena before facing Angola on August 27 and Italy on August 29 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.