Clarkson
“I’M ALL IN,” Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson was quoted as saying as he reaffirmed his commitment to the Philippine men’s national team for the next three Olympic Games cycles starting in 2016.
According to a report on Inquirer.net, the 23-year old Filipino American gave his firm commitment to playing for the national team—nicknamed the Gilas Pilipinas—over dinner on Monday night with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ (SBP) chairman Ricky Vargas and PBA Board member Patrick Gregorio.
According to Vargas and Gregorio, Clarkson said he is willing to play for the Gilas in the run-up for the 2016, 2020 and the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The SBP is confident that the Missouri-alum will soon don the Gilas jersey with the additional eligibility requirements asked by Fiba set to be satisfied in the coming days.
Both Vargas and Gregorio are set to make a quick trip to the United States to “pay respects” to both Clarkson’s father, Mike, and the Los Angeles Lakers.
“He’s not in the Philippines to play basketball as a mercenary. His commitment is beyond basketball. He wants to impart his self-discipline, his concern for winning,” Vargas said in the report.