Jordan Clarkson arriving in Manila on Friday – report

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-American NBA player Jordan Clarkson is reportedly set to arrive in Manila on Friday, May 27 with his brother Julian and Adrian Stelly of Nike Global Sports Marketing, according to a report by The Philippine Star.

The visit of the 23-year-old Clarkson, according to a source of the report, is Nike-related but the reason wasn’t disclosed. Nike is set to hold an event on Saturday, May 28, unveiling the new jerseys of Gilas Pilipinas that will be used for the FIBA Olympic Qualifiers in Manila in July.

The event is supposed to include Gilas head coach Tab Baldwin and players of the national team, who will have their practice at the Kerry Sports Gym in the Shangri-La Hotel in Fort right after, which Clarkson may attend.

The Philippine Star report also says that Clarkson will possibly attend the FilOil game of the DLSU Green Archers and Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday, May 29. Both schools use Nike apparel for their men’s basketball teams.

Clarkson is ineligible to play for the national team in the upcoming Olympic Qualifiers, since his name wasn’t included in the 24-man pool that will eventually be cut to 12. 

The Los Angeles Lakers guard came to the Philippines twice in 2015 – for an NBA-sponsored event, and to visit his mother Annette’s relatives in Angeles City, Pampanga.

During Clarkson’s second visit, he also participated in the drills of Gilas Pilipinas ahead of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in China. Clarkson even travelled with the team to Taiwan and watched a few of their games in the William Jones Cup.

Naturalized Filipino and Gilas big man Andray Blatche is also expected to arrive on Friday and is included in the Gilas pool. The expectation is that the former NBA big man will make the final cut and play for the Philippines in the OQT.

According to the report, Clarkson is expected to be in Manila only until Monday. After averaging 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists a game for the Lakers this past NBA season, he is going to be one of the most sought-after restricted free agents in the market.

NBA free agency is set to open on July 1 (US time). – Rappler.com