With the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup just around the corner, Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz said that he is ready to represent his country again.
In an online press conference with the local media on Friday, Clarkson shared that one of his goals this year is to join Gilas Pilipinas Men in the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 games which will be happening from August 25 to September 10.
“I haven't talked much with anybody but that's in the future plans. It's coming up in the summer so I’m getting prepared for that as well. [To see] my family and my team, I'm excited for that,” he answered when asked about suiting up for the national team.
The former NBA Sixth Man of the Year had already played for Gilas in the 2018 Asian Games before making his debut in a FIBA-sanctioned game against Lebanon and Saudi Arabia in August of last year.
With his abundant experience on the big stage, he put up 27 and 34 points against Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, respectively.
Clarkson is expected to make a huge impact for the Philippines—as a naturalized player—as he is currently averaging a career-high 20.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists as the starting point guard for the Jazz.
"Things are gonna get real good, definitely we'll try to win. I think we got a great group of guys - Kai (Sotto), Dwight (Ramos), everybody that I played with this summer,” Clarkson said.
