CLEVELAND Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson won’t be suiting up for the country in the Asian Games in Indonesia this month after not getting the green light from the NBA.
“The NBA’s agreement with FIBA stipulates that NBA players can participate in the Olympics, the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Continental Cup competitions, and associated qualifying tournaments,” said NBA spokesman Tim Frank in a statement.
Clarkson, who has a Filipina mother and an American father, was listed in Gilas Pilipinas’ 12-man roster that will be coached by Yeng Guiao. He got the nod to play from the Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia.
“Because the Asian Games are not one of those competitions, NBA players are unable to participate. In accordance with the NBA’s agreement with FIBA, Jordan is welcome to represent the Philippines in the agreed-upon competitions,” Frank continued.
Guiao hopes to get Don Trollano to take Clarkson’s slot.
Gilas will take on Kazakhstan on Aug. 16 in its first game of the Asian Games.
The 26-year-old Clarkson was drafted 46th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. He played for four seasons with the Lakers before being traded to the Cavaliers before the trade deadline last season. He has career averages of 13.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists. (EKA)