Jordan Clarkson ‘really wants’ to play in 2018 Asian Games

Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Jordan Clarkson is trying his hardest to participate in the 2018 Asian Games.

According to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio (h/t CNN Philippines sports correspondent Pauline Verzosa), Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson has a strong desire to play for the Philippines’ national team in the 2018 Asian Games.

Clarkson is the only Filipino-American player currently on an NBA roster (Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is Filipino-American, as are Aaron Craft and Japeth Aguilar of the NBA G-League) and just the third Filipino-American player (following Raymond Townsend and Nate Robinson) in NBA history.

The biggest hurdle for Clarkson, a 26-year-old playmaker who was the 46th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, is getting permission from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the NBA and from the Cleveland Cavaliers themselves.

Per ESPN’s JC Ansis, Philippines Olympic Committee (POC) president Ricky Vargas said Clarkson’s name has already been submitted by the SBP as part of the 18-man list.

Unfortunately, according to Camille B. Naredo of ABS-CBN News, the original deadline for a team’s roster to be set for the Asian Games — as determined by the Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) was on June 30th. That said, the Philippines’ national team is racing against time to get Clarkson permission to participate in the pan-Asian FIBA event.

If allowed to participate, Clarkson will likely be asked to be the flag-bearer for Philippines, a humbling honor.

Per Ansis:

"Asked if the Philippine contingent already has a flag bearer for the opening ceremonies, Vargas indicated it would be a “good possibility” if Clarkson shoulders that responsibility.“If Clarkson will join us, why not him?”"

Clarkson averaged 13.9 points (on 45.1 percent shooting from the field and 35.2 percent shooting from three), 2.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game last season.

He’s averaged 14.1 points (on 44.3 percent shooting from the field and 33.9 percent shooting from three), 2.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game for his career.

Clarkson won’t be facing heavy NBA competition in the 2018 Asian Games considering the lack of NBA players with Asian heritage.

However, he’ll be facing 2014 Asian Games silver medalist Iran in the opening round of the tournament (per FIBA). This will be a great experience for him not just as a player showcasing his talents on an international stage but as a player with growing experience in a championship tournament.

Last season’s postseason run with the Cavaliers saw him struggle mightily on offense, averaging just 4.7 points per game (on 30.1 percent shooting from the field and 23.9 percent shooting from three), amassing 13 total assists in 19 games and being benched after Game 2 of the NBA Finals. He was far from himself throughout the postseason, missing shots he can make and too often looking anywhere but at a teammate when he had the ball in his hands.

However, though it was far from a shining moment in Clarkson’s career, it was his first postseason experience and the championship-or-bust pressure resulted in a lot of “hero ball.”

Without LeBron James in town and by giving himself more experience playing for a championship, Clarkson could show that — even when the pressure is on — he’s a much different player than the one that laid a goose egg in the 2018 NBA Playoffs.

An electric combo guard who attacks defenses relentlessly, Clarkson playing with pace and patience will ultimately be the true  signs of significant development. Despite his underwhelming efficiency in the postseason, many of the shots he missed were a result of him pressing for a basket.

Training camp (for all teams) starts on September 22nd. The 2018 Asian Games take place from August 18th to September 2nd.

*All stats gathered from www.basketball-reference.com