For years, Los Angeles Lakers star Jordan Clarkson has been making it known on social media that he wants to be part of SMART Gilas Pilipinas. Even Gilas’ young gun Kobe Paras chimed in, posting a photo on social media last October with Clarkson.
imagine what @JordanClarksons and I would do if we were given a chance to play together for Gilas pilipinas ??
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— Kobe | koko wave ? (@_kokoparas) October 16, 2017
But with the first and second windows of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers coinciding with the on-going NBA season, Gilas head coach Chot Reyes shared that it will be hard for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to tap the Filipino-American’s service, as the Los Angeles Lakers brass would not allow it.
“I’m getting a lot of questions as well on Jordan Clarkson, Jordan is just there. I just want everyone to understand it’s not that simple with him wanting to play and us wanting him to be here,” shared the outspoken mentor.
“There is also a little matter of the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA.
“Hindi basta sabihin ni Clarkson na gusto niya at sabihin natin na okay punta ka dito, eh makakapunta siya. Siyempre he has to get clearance,” Reyes added.
Clarkson, 25, is currently the leading scorer of the Lakers with an average of 15.1 points per contest.
Even the other ball clubs in the league did not release their players for Team USA for the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup. To combat this, USA Basketball plugged in a line-up that was filled with players from the NBA D-League.
“If you notice, Team USA released its lineup last week, there’s no NBA player, not one. Team USA nga walang NBA player, paano pa tayo di ba,” said Reyes.
“It’s not that simple.”
