NBA: Fil-Am rookie Jordan Clarkson debuts for LA Lakers

Filipino-American rookie Jordan Clarkson made his NBA debut on Tuesday night (Wednesday PHL time), checking into the first quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers' opener against the Houston Rockets.

Clarkson, whose mother Annette traces her roots to Pampanga, was acquired in a draft day deal with the Washington Wizards, who selected him with the 46th overall pick.

The 6-foot-5 point guard out of Missouri is the second Filipino-American player to play in the NBA after Raymond Townsend, who spent parts of three seasons with the Golden State Warriors and the Indiana Pacers from 1978 to 1982.

Clarkson entered the game at the 6:28 mark of the first period, subbing in for Jeremy Lin. He scored his first NBA basket at the 3:56 mark of the quarter, nailing a three-point shot from the corner.

He finished with eight points, four rebounds, and two assists in the Lakers' 108-90 defeat.— JST, GMA News