‘Special’ NBA permission for Clarkson
MANILA: Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson will suit up for the Philippines at the Asian Games in Indonesia, the country’s basketball federation announced yesterday, just days after the NBA said it would not release him for the event.
The NBA granted a “one-time exception” for the 26-year-old Clarkson and two Chinese players — Houston Rockets centre Zhou Qi and Dallas Mavericks forward Ding Yanyuhang — to represent their countries at the 2018 Asiad.
Born in the United States, Clarkson is eligible to play for the Philippines as it is his maternal grandmother’s country of origin.
“This action of the NBA will no doubt cheer the hearts of Filipinos here and all over the world,” the Philippines’ national basketball federation said in a statement.
The US league had earlier refused Clarkson permission t o play i n tournament, being held in Indonesia f rom Aug 18-Sept 2.
The A s i a n Games are t he world’s largest multi-sport event after the Olympics, but are not among the competitions NBA players are allowed to participate in under an agreement between the league and Fiba, basketball’s world governing body.
“My heart is full of gratitude for everyone who helped make this happen. See you all very soon!” Clarkson wrote on Facebook, and posted a photo of himself in a Philippines shirt.
The Philippines had originally withdrawn from the Asian Games men’s basketball tournament after 10 of their firstteam players and two coaches were hit with suspensions and fines after an on-court brawl with Australia at a World Cup qualifier last month.
The decision was later reversed after an intervention by the office of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Winners of four Asiad basketball golds — but none after 1962 — the Philippines are in a tough group this year, which includes favourites China.