Jordan Clarkson 'sure to play' for Gilas Pilipinas in World Cup —SBP

The Gilas Pilipinas national team is tipped to get a huge lift come its campaign in the 2023 FIBA World Cup as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) said on Friday that NBA player Jordan Clarkson is 'sure to play' in the said tournament.

But the federation didn't divulge whether the Utah Jazz standout has received his official release from FIBA as well as the NBA or whether he'll suit up as a local or a naturalized player.

SBP added that the 30-year-old Clarkson could also suit up when the Filipinos play in the fourth window of the World Cup Asian qualifiers set next month.

"Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson is sure to play in the World Cup and will likely join Gilas in the fourth window against Lebanon in Beirut on Aug. 25 and Saudi Arabia at the MOA Arena on Aug. 29," SBP said in a lengthy statement.

Clarkson, though, will be unavailable in the next windows as those will coincide with the new NBA season. The SBP added that it will attempt to bring in Kai Sotto as well.

"SBP will reach out to Kai Sotto for the three windows, SEA Games and the World Cup."

Clarkson last donned the national colors in the 2018 Asian Games where they lost to South Korea in the quarterfinals round to crash out of the tournament.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News