At such a young age, Jordan Clarkson had already achieved a lot.
Still, there’s an important feat that he has been chasing — a stint in the Summer Olympics.
Clarkson will be on a mission when he banners Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Basketball World Cup that the country will be hosting starting Friday at the Philippine Arena.
The Utah Jazz swingman said more than leading the Filipinos to a strong performance in the prestigious 32-nation tournament, he is hot on joining them to their first Olympic appearance since the likes of William “Bogs” Adornado, Joy Cleofas, Tembong Melencio and Ed Ocampo saw action in the Munich Olympics in 1972.
According to the International Basketball Federation, the top Asian team will automatically earn a berth to the Olympics that will be held in Paris next year.
Asian powerhouse countries like China, Japan, Lebanon and Jordan are all determined to make it but the Philippines has an edge for having a legitimate NBA player in its roster — Clarkson.
“We have a chance to win games and get into the Olympics someday,” said the 31-year-old Clarkson, one of the very few National Basketball Association players who competed with the giants of the league like the late Kobe Bryant at the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James at the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“It is different playing at home, in front of your own people, and this (Mall of Asia) arena is beautiful. I cannot wait to come back here again and play some more games.”
Representing the Philippines is nothing new to Clarkson.
Clarkson, whose maternal grandmother hails from Pampanga, started to reinforce the country in the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018. He was supposed to suit up as a local player in the World Cup in China in 2019 but was denied as he failed to secure his Philippine passport before turning 16 years old.
Although there was an option to play as a naturalized player, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas opted to deploy 6-foot-11 Andray Blatche, a former NBA campaigner who is already in the tail-end of his professional career.
But Clarkson is really committed to don the national colors.
Despite his very busy schedule with the Jazz, Clarkson returned four years later to banner Gilas in the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
“I’m here in Manila, excited to play for Team Philippines,” Clarkson said in a video meant for the fans of the Jazz.
“Gonna have a good time, get some wins, and I’ll see you all soon.”
Reyes said Clarkson’s enthusiasm to represent the country is truly admirable.
In fact, despite failing to see action in the majority of the qualifiers, Clarkson remains determined to return to compete for the country in the prestigious 32-nation tournament.
He was supposed to suit up six weeks before the World Cup to join Gilas in their friendly series in China, but something came up and he only came on board on 8 August.
Despite being late, his dedication and passion in serving the country through basketball remain the same.
“We’ve been exchanging thoughts and ideas, and he’s accepted it. He knows what we want from him and I think he’s up for the challenge with the way he sounds,” Reyes said.
“You can tell if a person is engaged when you talk to him.”
Reyes didn’t elaborate what’s keeping a gem of a talent like Clarkson from coming back to play for the Philippines.
But deep in his heart, he knows that Clarkson keeps on returning because he still has a special mission to carry out.
