Jordan Clarkson expected to join Gilas practices on August 15, says Chot Reyes

Jordan Clarkson is set to arrive on August 15 to join Gilas Pilipinas ahead of its campaign in the fourth window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers slated later next month.

According to national team head coach Chot Reyes, the Utah Jazz star has made himself available as he eyes bolstering the Filipinos in the next window, where Gilas will face Lebanon on August 25 on the road and Saudi Arabia on August 29 here.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) first made the statement that said Clarkson is "sure to play" in the World Cup, which the country will host alongside Japan and Indonesia.

"He said that he could come in and practice I think August 15 for the next window," Reyes said after his TNT edged Blackwater in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday night.

Reyes said the federation is still in the process of ironing out all the logistical issues with regards to Clarkson flying to the country.

"Now I know that SBP and team manager Butch Antonio is talking to his representative, his agent, his management team to fix all the logistics to allow him to come," the veteran mentor said.

"It's not that simple kasi ang daming issues diyan eh. There's a lot of issues involved there and I won't go into those in detail but that's where we are now. He said that he made himself available so now, we're doing all we can to make it happen."

Should everything go as planned, Reyes said Clarkson will suit up as a naturalized player.

Still, the seasoned tactician said Clarkson beefing up the Gilas roster is not yet 100 percent until he actually arrived.

"I think it would be great for the Filipino people to watch Jordan play for the national team here in the Philippines."

Clarkson last donned the national colors back in 2018, when he bannered the Philippines in the Asian Games.

—MGP, GMA News