JORDAN Clarkson has been officially disallowed by the NBA to play for the Philippines in the 2018 Asian Games.
NBA spokesperson Tim Frank said the Asian Games is not part of competitions agreed upon by the league and Fiba for NBA players to play for their country.
“The NBA’s agreement with Fiba stipulates that NBA players can participate in the Olympics, Fiba Basketball World Cup, Continental Cup competitions, and associated qualifying tournaments. 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,” said Frank in a statement first posted on the ABS-CBN Sports/NBA Philippines Twitter account.
The NBA statement also clarified that Clarkson could play for the Philippines competitions such as the Fiba Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers. Clarkson was being eyed by the Philippines to play for the national team, even joining the squad during their training in 2015.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas included Clarkson in the Philippines’ 12-man line-up for the Asian Games to beef up the Rain or Shine-core national squad.
Reports said the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee would have allowed Clarkson to play.
National coach Yeng Guiao said they will ask SBP to replace Clarkson with Don Trollano.
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