JORDAN CLARKSON’S contract with the Los Angeles Lakers bars him from joining Gilas Pilipinas’s practice sessions. But that won’t be a hindrance in his desire to get into the team’s chemistry.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Renauld “Sonny” Barrios told a television interview on Tuesday night that Clarkson would “interact, observe and familiarize himself with the system” of the national pool preparing for the International Basketball Federation Asia Men’s Championship next month in Changsa, China.
“He will also talk with the team members for him to know the personalities involved, get to know the players and, even the coaching staff and the utility,” Barrios said.
The SBP gained confidence on Clarkson joining the Gilas team that would compete in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics qualifier after the 23-year-old bared he acquired a Philippine passport when he was 12 years old.
The International Basketball Federation (Fiba) allows dual citizens to play for a second country for as long as the player secured their passport at 16.
Pertinent papers on Clarkson’s dual citizenship are now with Fiba for approval by the world governing body. If approved, he will play as a local alongside naturalized reinforcement Andray Blatche, the only player assured of a slot on Baldwin’s team.
But the Fiba is only one of two humps the SBP has to overcome. The second is the Lakers management.
There are fears the Lakers won’t release Clarkson because of the proximity between the Changsa tournament and the new National Basketball Association (NBA) season. The Fiba qualifier starts on September 23 and ends on October 3, while the NBA unwraps 24 days after on October 27.
The NBA, Barrios said, is very strict about its players representing their countries in international competitions.
“We will need permission from the LA Lakers and the NBA,” Barrios added.
Clarkson was in Angeles City, Pampanga, the birthplace of his mother Annette Davis, where he conducted clinics for kids. He is in the country to promote Smart.