Jordan Clarkson set to join Gilas Pilipinas by late July

Jordan Clarkson is likely to join Gilas Pilipinas at the end of next month, or before the national team plays in a pocket tournament in China on August. This will be an integral part in their preparation for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Al Panlilio, head of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), said that the federation and Clarkson’s camp are finalizing the schedule and that the Utah Jazz star is likely to join the national team in China.

“We’re talking to him. Timing lang talaga. I’m not getting the latest updates but the last time Butch Antonio spoke to them, we’re gonna be asking him if he can come to join us in the last week of July because we want him to be part of the games in China,” said Panlilio on Wednesday.

“He has committed naman to play, we’re just finalizing the schedules.”

Gilas had a training camp for almost a week at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna. The team will depart for Estonia on Thursday to play tune-up matches against the Estonian national team, Finland, and Latvia.

Only 13 of the 21 players in the pool joined the Laguna camp. Justin Brownlee, RR Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, Jordan Heading, Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo, and Clarkson were not there.

Panlilio says that Brownlee will fly straight from the United States to Estonia, where the team will be waiting for him.

“It will be a tough couple of weeks in Europe then they come back and continue practice here and go to China early part of August to also join mini tournament there and a couple of friendlies,” Panlilio added.

“Then babalik sila dito then they will have a few more games before the first game on the 25.”