GILAS Pilipinas won’t be tapping the services of Jordan Clarkson for the coming 20th Asian Games.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy said the naturalized player fresh from winning an NBA championship with the New York Knicks wasn’t included in the initial 30-man list it submitted to the Asiad Organizing Committee.
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“He’s not on the long list of coach Tim (Cone) for the Asian Games,” said the federation executive in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday at the Philippine Sports Commission media room.
The 34-year-old Fil-Am first played for the national team during the 2018 Asiad in Bangkok, Thailand, and in the 2023 FIBA World Cup here in the country.
While Clarkson was not on the original list, included as part of the 30-man players were naturalized player Justin Brownlee, Justin Arana, Brandon Bates, and Sedrick Barefield.
“We were able to add players who are not necessarily available to FIBA competitions as a local. So looking at the long list, andyan sila (Brandon) Bates, sila Barefield. May mga ganyan tayong pangalan na usually hindi natin nakikita sa ating mga windows,” said Dy.
Unlike FIBA sanctioned tournaments, the Asiad only requires passports for players to be able to suit up for their national teams.
Likewise, the Gilas mainstays are both in the long and short lists.
Out of the initial long list made by the SBP will come the short list from where the final 12 man will be formed.
Dy disclosed the short list had likewise already been submitted to the Nagoya Asiad Organizing Committee.
“There was already a short list that was submitted. But it’s not yet the final (list) because just like in the Southeast Asian Games, there can still be changes in the end. So hindi pa siya final kahit may short list nang na-submit,” said Dy.
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