Newly-acquired Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Jordan Clarkson recently made a guest appearance on CavsHQ with hosts John Michael and Rafa Brito-Hernandez to discuss his desire to play for the Philippine national team, Gilas Pilipinas.
Clarkson, a 25-year-old shooting guard who’s mother hails from the Philippines, says he would love to suit up for Gilas, but his schedule simply hasn’t allowed it.
“Jordan, I know your mother is Filipino, and you have tried to play for Gilas,” Brito-Hernandez said to Clarkson during the interview. “How disappointed were you that due to scheduling with the (Los Angeles) Lakers and your situation with dual citizenship, you haven’t been able to dress (for the team)?”
“Its definitely something I want to do,” Clarkson replied. “Everything just kind of didn’t work out, FIBA rules and all that stuff. Hopefully it comes out soon and I’ll be able to suit up (with Gilas).”
Clarkson recently made a trip to the Philippines, where he apparently ate a lot of Kentucky Fried Chicken with Manny Pacquiao during a series of chess matches.
“We actually, yea, we played chess for a long time at (Manny’s) house, man,” Clarkson said with a laugh. “I think we went through like two or three boxes of KFC chicken. In the pictures, you can’t see the KFC, but it’s right there on my right leg. I’m just sitting there eating the whole time while playing. He whooped my tail off.”
It sounds like Clarkson and Pacquiao had a good time together.
Clarkson has played well for the Cavs since his trade from the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s played in five games with the Cavs, averaging 14.2 points on 52.7 percent shooting from the field (39.1 percent from beyond the arc), 2.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per contest.
Clarkson and the Cavs, now the third-ranked team in the Eastern Conference standings with a 35-24 overall record, will be back in action on Tuesday night, as they’re scheduled to host the Brooklyn Nets. Tip-off inside Quicken Loans Arena is set for 7:00 p.m. EST with FOX Sports Ohio having live broadcast coverage.
