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    Any chance Jordan Clarkson, Jalen Green can play for Gilas as locals?

    Yes, there's a small chance Clarkson and Green can get clearance to play for Gilas as a local at the 2023 Fiba World Cup - but it's entirely out of our hands
    Aug 19, 2020

    SEEING Jordan Clarkson impress in the NBA bubble as an invaluable sixth man for the Utah Jazz makes it hard for fans to resist the thought of the Fil-American guard playing for Gilas Pilipinas come the 2023 Fiba World Cup on home soil.

    Fans get that same irresistible feeling when they see Jalen Green flying past defenders for rim-rattling dunks - or read the news that the hyper-athletic Fil-American is billed as a future No. 1 draft pick in the NBA.

    So is there a chance that the two can play for Gilas as homegrown players when the 2023 showpiece is co-hosted by the Philippines with Japan and Indonesia?

    Yes, actually, but it's entirely in the hands of Fiba.

    Clarkson has previously played for the Philippine national team back at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, but only because the eligibility rules of the Asiad are less stringent compared to those in place in Fiba-sanctioned events.

    To be able to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas either at the Fiba World Cup or the Fiba Asia Championship, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) will have to convince the world basketball body that the US-born player was able to secure his Philippine passport before turning 16, in accordance with Fiba rules.

    Without that, the only way Clarkson can play for Gilas in Fiba-sanctioned events is as a naturalized player, which is a pity considering he is of legit Filipino descent.

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    Green's case is a little more complicated.

    The 6-5 winger has suited up for Team USA in the youth level and was even named MVP at the Fiba Under-17 World Cup in Argentina in 2018. The 18-year old also played for the US in last year's Fiba Under-19 World Cup in Heraklion, Greece.

    According to Fiba rules governing dual citizens, a player who represents one country in a Fiba event after turning 17 can no longer play for another country. Evidence suggests that Green was over the age of 17 at last year's Under-19 World Cup.

    Fiba, however, does provide a way out in such cases. Such are solely under the prerogative of its all-powerful secretary general, who, the rules say, can grant an exemption in 'exceptional circumstances,' so long as 'it is in the interest of the development of basketball in that country.'

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    Granting Green is given an exemption, there is work left to do with his eligibility since the premier attraction of the Select team in the coming NBA G League has provided no proof that he has acquired a Philippine passport before turning 16.

    If such is the case, Green may be in the same boat as Clarkson, needing a special exemption from Fiba to be able to play for Gilas as a local at the 2023 World Cup. That or either of the two takes on the spot allotted for a naturalized player.

    The good news is, Fiba has given exemptions to such cases in the past, none closer to home than the case of Ginebra big man Greg Slaughter who was cleared to play for Gilas in September 2018, even if he was unable to secure a passport before turning 16.

    Here's the official Fiba document:

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    In granting Slaughter an exemption, the late Fiba secgen Patrick Baumann gave weight to three factors: the seven-footer has secured a Philippine passport just shortly after turning 16; has lived in the country since age 19, and has "studied in the Philippines and plays basketball there for the past 11 years."

    Between Clarkson and Green, it is the former who insiders believe has a better chance at gaining an exemption by virtue of his 'Filipino connection.'

    Although the six-year NBA veteran isn't based in the Philippines like Slaughter, he has been to the country a couple of times to reconnect with his family from the side of his mother, who traces her roots to Angeles City.

    Clarkson, 28, has also taken pride in his Filipino roots based on his social media posts and has shown a soft spot for anything Filipino.

    At the 2018 Asiad, then Gilas coach Yeng Guiao said Clarkson made an effort to get along well with every single member of the team. Sources bared the NBA player even paid to have one restaurant closed to treat his teammates to dinner.

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    Another source bared Clarkson "didn't even demand much" when he agreed to play for Team Philippines. He even acted as the delegation flag-bearer.

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      When Clarkson first reconnected with the Gilas program ahead of the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship in China, the SBP actually presented proof to Fiba that the then NBA sophomore of the Los Angeles Lakers secured a Philippine passport before turning 16.

      Curiously, Clarkson failed to get the green light from Fiba. How come? Insiders bared some officials questioned why the old Clarkson passport did not have a single stamp, meaning it wasn't used.

      But more than the questions on the passport's veracity, insiders bared that what really dampened Clarkson's hopes was opposition from Asian countries which aren't exactly thrilled to see the then LA Laker play for Gilas in Changsha, China.

      "Have you seen how Clarkson almost single-handedly brought Gilas to the medal games at the Asian Games?" said one insider. "Imagine how strong the Philippines would be if we have Clarkson plus a naturalized player in the caliber of an Andray Blatche."

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      So is the Clarkson appeal dead?

      Not exactly.

      According to sources, top leaders of the SBP have not given up hope of seeing Clarkson play for Gilas and are in fact not discounting an appeal before the 2023 Fiba World Cup - not because they feel it will have a stronger chance but more because they believe Clarkson is deserving of an exemption.

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      Hopefully, any appeal will carry a stronger voice since the Philippines is one of three co-hosts of the 2023 showpiece.

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