After the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas confirmed that Fil-American Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson has acquired a Filipino passport before the age of 16, the SBP is trying its best with hopes of fielding in Clarkson as a “local” in FIBA-sanctioned tournaments.
“We are working on it with FIBA and going through processing,” SBP’s Sonny Barrios said in a text message, stating the SBP is working on necessary steps in an attempt to secure Clarkson’s eligibility as a local.
This includes submitting the necessary documents to further prove Clarkson’s eligibility.
Barrios also said “yes” when asked if Clarkson secured a Filipino passport before the age of 16.
FIBA eligibility rules suggest players with dual citizenship wanting to represent their respective national teams as “locals” should acquire a passport before the age of 16.
Clarkson averaged 11.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 3.4 APG for the Lakers in the 2014-15 NBA season and was named to the All-Rookie First Team.
The 46th overall pick of last year’s NBA Draft visited the Philippines last May and also spoke of his intentions to play for the national squad.
Earlier this year, Gilas Pilipinas 2.0 head coach Chot Reyes said on Twitter that he spoke to Clarkson two years ago but said he was ineligible.
https://twitter.com/coachot/status/561352224542965760
Right now, the SBP is working hand in hand with the FIBA and hoping for the best, but unless they secure an exemption or further satisfy FIBA’s requirements, Clarkson will still be ineligible for FIBA-sanctioned tournaments.
Other Fil-foreigners who have not secured their Filipino passports before the age of 16 are Jason Brickman, a US NCAA Division I player who notched 1,000 assists throughout his college career, and Ginebra’s Sol Mercado, who played for Reyes’ Gilas 2 in the Jones Cup but was not able to suit up for a FIBA-sanctioned event.
