Parks to take on Clarkson as Mavs battle Lakers

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-Americans Jordan Clarkson of the Los Angeles Lakers and Bobby Ray Parks Jr of the Dallas Mavericks are set to meet when the their teams go head-to-head in the 2015 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on Thursday, July 16, at 8:30 am Manila time. 

While Parks, a former two-time UAAP MVP here in the Philippines, has played sparingly in 3 games so far with the Mavericks, Clarkson has impressed with averages of 18.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists through 3 contests in his second career Summer League stint. 

Parks, who in his last game against Washington played less than 2 minutes, has scored just one point so far as the Mavericks have lost all of their games.

In a conference call with Philippine media on Tuesday, Parks said that he’s actually already talked to Clarkson while in Las Vegas. 

“I actually met Jordan Clarkson yesterday (Monday),” Parks said, “and just had a few words with him. I mean, he’s a cool guy. He’s been there. He’s in the NBA.” 

Both Parks and Clarkson, who was in the Philippines a few months ago, have said that playing in the NBA – or in Parks’ case, trying to make it there – is also to bring pride to their Philippine homeland. 

“It means a lot. It’s kind of why I play,” the 22-year-old Clarkson said of his Filipino heritage. “I don’t play for myself anymore. I play for us and my family, and my teammates. It’s great, man. I love the support.” 

(READ: Bobby Ray Parks focused on NBA dream, but not ruling out PBA Draft)

Parks echoed the same sentiment during the conference call on Tuesday. 

“Nakaka-encourage nga siya eh,” he said about the Filipino support he’s received while in Summer League, “na makita yung buong bayan talagang sinusuportahan ako sa dream ko. Sobrang nakaka-humble siya pati madaming sacrifices na naging involved para makarating dito and talagang gusto kong ipagpatuloy ‘tong dream na to, hindi lang para sa akin pero para sa buong bayan.” 

(It’s actually really encouraging to see that the whole country is supporting me in pursuing my dream. It’s very humbling, as well as all the sacrifices that were involved to get to this point. I really want to continue this dream, not only for me but for the whole country.)

– Rappler.com