Having an NBA player like Jordan Clarkson undoubtedly makes Gilas Pilipinas a better team.
That's something that Team USA assistant coach and Filipino-American Erik Spoelstra touched on when he talked to the local media after conducting a basketball clinic for kids at Kerry Sports Manila in Bonifacio Global City on Wednesday.
"(Jordan's) definitely a big addition, for sure, without a doubt. Fitting into what they've already done, that's the most important thing, but having a proven guy definitely helps."
The Miami Heat head coach said he is keen on catching up with some friends on the Gilas coaching staff and hopes to find time to watch a game or two.
"It's going to be exciting - I'm going to try to catch some games. Coach Tim (Cone) and I have connected, and I hope to meet up with Coach Chot (Reyes) as well," he shared. "But I haven't seen a whole lot of them but I'm looking forward to seeing them play and watching them compete in the next couple of weeks."
Spoelstra and the USA Basketball team flew in on Tuesday morning, three days before the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 opens. During the media scrum, he also talked about the culture they've built within Team USA.
"When you put together a team, you want it to feel like a family. It doesn't always happen that way, but the best teams I've ever been around, you feel that way. And hopefully, there's a level of grace and we talk about it all the time with our teams to find gratitude in working together and trying to accomplish something big and significant, and we can only accomplish it by working together and making a lot of sacrifices."
Spoelstra and the US squad open their FIBA World Cup campaign against New Zealand on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
