Knicks' Jordan Clarkson, Spurs' Dylan Harper represent PH in NBA Finals

The dream of seeing a homegrown Filipino player in the NBA may not have been realized yet, but Filipino basketball fans will still have plenty to cheer for in this year’s NBA Finals as New York’s Jordan Clarkson and San Antonio’s Dylan Harper take center stage.

Clarkson will be making his second NBA Finals appearance after reaching the championship round with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018, when they were swept by the Golden State Warriors.

Harper, meanwhile, is set for his first Finals appearance in his rookie season with the Spurs.

Clarkson and Harper's Filipino roots

Clarkson's mother, Annette Davis, is Filipino-American. His maternal grandmother, Marcelina Tullao Kingsolver, hails from Bacolor, Pampanga.

The 33-year-old guard has proudly represented the Philippines on the international stage, suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2018 Asian Games and the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Harper, on the other hand, is the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper and high school basketball coach Maria Pizarro, whose family traces its roots to Bataan.

READ MORE | Family matters: How close ties helped Fil-Am Dylan Harper shape his young career

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft spoke about the pride he takes in representing his Filipino heritage.

“Obviously, it's a blessing to represent the Philippines and know where I'm from. I think me and Jordan Clarkson do a great job of doing that. But my biggest thing is just focusing on what's in front of me.”

Season numbers

Clarkson averaged 8.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game during the regular season for the Knicks.

Harper, meanwhile, posted averages of 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in his rookie campaign.

The 20-year-old guard elevated his play in the Western Conference Finals, averaging 13.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

His breakout performance came in Game 1, when he erupted for 24 points, 11 rebounds, seven steals, and six assists as the Spurs outlasted the Thunder, 122-115, in overtime.

The Finals will mark the first championship showdown between the Spurs and Knicks since 1999. The best-of-seven series begins Thursday.

—JKC, GMA News