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Philippines’ Jordan Clarkson (L) gestures during the FIBA Basketball World Cup classification match between China and Philippines at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on September 2, 2023.
Veteran guard Jordan Clarkson has spent more than a decade carving out a reputation as one of the NBA’s most reliable scoring sparks. Now the New York Knicks guard hopes to bring that same impact back to the international stage.
Clarkson said he is exploring the possibility of representing the Philippines men’s national basketball team again at the upcoming Asian Games, with a longer-term goal of helping the program qualify for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“I’m looking into it,” Clarkson said in an interview with Mark Medina of Essentially Sports. “I know it’s the Asian Games this summer. Hopefully, I get a chance to compete. I want to, but we’ll see how it goes.”
For Clarkson, the opportunity carries meaning beyond simply adding another tournament to his résumé.
“For us and for me, not making the Olympics and not fully accomplishing what we want to accomplish in the World Cup,” Clarkson said. “Reaching the goal of having a chance to make the Olympics, I think, is a big thing for me and to represent the country.”
Clarkson Continues Professional Approach With Knicks
GettyJordan Clarkson of the New York Knicks celebrates sinking a three-pointer during the second half against the Utah Jazz.
Clarkson’s international ambitions come during a season in which he has embraced a fluctuating role with New York.
The former NBA Sixth Man of the Year has seen his minutes vary as the Knicks navigate a crowded backcourt rotation. But Clarkson recently reminded the team — and the league — how valuable a veteran scorer can be when called upon.
Against his former team, the Utah Jazz, on Wednesday, Clarkson delivered one of the most impactful performances of his Knicks tenure, erupting for 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting along with five rebounds and three assists in a come-from-behind 134–117 victory.
The win snapped New York’s two-game losing streak and helped swing momentum back in the Knicks’ favor.
Head coach Mike Brown later revealed that assistant coach Maurice Cheeks predicted Clarkson’s breakout performance hours before tipoff.
“It was funny because Mo Cheeks — he’s been awesome,” Brown said. “Mo said to me earlier today, ‘We’ve got to find a way to throw Jordan in the game because he can have a big one for us tonight.’”
Cheeks’ instinct proved prophetic.
When the Knicks fell behind by 18 points in the first half, Brown turned to Clarkson — and the veteran guard helped ignite the comeback.
“For him to go out and perform the way he did, you couldn’t ask for anything better,” Brown said. “Especially from him, who is a veteran who hasn’t been playing or in the rotation and all of a sudden we need him.”
Clarkson scored 19 of his 27 points in the second half, helping New York outscore Utah 78–52 after halftime.
Philippines Program Looking Toward Olympic Dream
Clarkson has been a key figure for the Philippines in international competition in recent years.
At the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the Filipino-American guard finished as the tournament’s second-leading scorer, averaging 26.0 points, trailing only Luka Dončić.
Clarkson also averaged 5.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 35.9 minutes across five games.
He believes the Philippines has the talent to compete on the global stage if the roster can find the right chemistry.
“I think we have a good chance,” Clarkson said. “We have a good team. We just got to figure out how to mesh the guys together and play the right combinations.”
Clarkson also acknowledged that eligibility rules for naturalized players in international tournaments continue to evolve.
“The rules change with FIBA like every week,” Clarkson said. “I’m just seeing what’s good and want to put the best team on the floor to represent the country.”
Clarkson Inspired by Filipino Basketball Culture
Beyond competition, Clarkson sees his international role as a chance to inspire the next generation of Filipino players.
“I came from San Antonio, Texas. Only a few made it to the league from San Antonio,” Clarkson said. “So I’m trying to be an example and inspire my people back home from the Philippines all the way to San Antonio.”
Clarkson also pointed to the growing presence of Filipino-American players in the NBA.
“I think we’ve had close to four now — me, Dylan Harper, Jalen Green and Jared McCain,” Clarkson said. “We just want to continue to see more in this game.”
Clarkson said the passion of Filipino fans remains one of his favorite parts of representing the country.
“I went to Burger King one time and we shut down the whole mall,” Clarkson recalled. “The Filipino love and fanbase is crazy.”
As Clarkson continues to balance his NBA role with international aspirations, the veteran guard hopes his next opportunity to represent the Philippines could bring the program one step closer to its Olympic dream.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo