THE fiery Yeng Guiao once softened up when he talked about Jordan Clarkson, saying he’s “a coaches’ dream” after getting the chance to handle him at Gilas Pilipinas in the 2018 Asian Games.
“Nung una, medyo kinakapa ko siya, tinatantsa ko. Baka sabihin niya, ‘Jordan Clarkson ako, Yeng Guiao ka lang, baka mas marami pa akong alam sa yo.’ Pero he was never like that,” Guiao said in a coaching webinar organized by Hoop Coaches International last May.
It looks like the Filipino-American Clarkson is loved wherever he goes.
Joe Vardon of The Athletic talked to members of the Utah Jazz and found out that Clarkson has already become a favorite within the team in just half a season since his transfer from Cleveland.
“The realest motherf—ker we have,” one person said of the 28-year-old Fil-American.
"The organization, top to bottom, loves Jordan Clarkson," Vardon said. "They find him funny and personable, and also willing to be coached."
This piece of news, of course, no longer surprised us, since we've heard the same from his Gilas coaches and teammates at the 2018 Asiad in Indonesia.
Guiao said Clarkson was quick to endear himself to other members of the team. Sources bared the NBA player even paid to have one restaurant closed to treat his teammates to dinner.
Another source bared Clarkson "didn't even demand much" when he agreed to play for Team Philippines, insisting his fee was lower than those of the team's naturalized players. He even acted as the delegation flag-bearer.
Traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers last December, the 6-foot-4 Clarkson has been the Jazz’s sixth man, coming into the playoffs averaging 15.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 24.7 minutes off the bench and is key to Utah’s bid for a deep playoff run.
Whether he starts or not, expect the lovable Clarkson to keep providing instant offense for the Jazz.
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