Clarkson hopes to join Gilas soon

MANILA, Philippines – Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson said yesterday even as circumstances prevent him from playing for Gilas at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament here in July, he’s hoping to join the national team soon because “it’s like a family and I want to be part of the heart and effort of the group.”

Clarkson arrived in Manila from Los Angeles via Tokyo last Friday night with his brother Julian and Adrian Stelly of Nike Global Sports Marketing. Coincidentally, Gilas naturalized player Andray Blatche flew in from Atlanta via Seoul that same night with his brother Tre and best friend Bryan Extra. Clarkson and his companions leave Manila this morning for a 2 1/2 day tour of Beijing before returning to Los Angeles.

“I came out here to try to inspire the (national) team, the city, the country the best way I can,” said Clarkson in a sit-down interview after he went through an hour of drills with Gilas at the Kerry Sports Gym in the Shangri-La Hotel The Fort yesterday afternoon. “I also wanted to test the youth and be around the national team.”

The visit was highlighted by Clarkson dropping by the SM Blue Residences condominium on Katipunan where 10-year-old fan and namesake Jordan Salandanan lives with his father and two brothers. After the surprise visit, Clarkson joined Salandanan in training with the Ateneo boys squad at the Moro Lorenzo Gym on the Loyola campus. He also attended the unveiling of the Nike Gilas uniforms and shoes, practiced with the national team, hosted 16 boys from the Tenement at West Bicutan in a workout and watched the Filoil Flying V men’s senior basketball game between Ateneo and La Salle in San Juan.

“I want to be a part of Gilas and hopefully soon, I’ll be able to play with the national team,” he said. Clarkson has played out his $1.35 Million two-year contract with the Lakers and will become a restricted free agent on July 1. If Clarkson receives an offer sheet from another team, the Lakers could match. The Lakers may also tender a qualifying offer to retain Clarkson. The negotiation period will be when the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament happens at the MOA Arena. Free agents may sign only after the NBA moratorium ends July 12. If talks work out, Clarkson may be in line for a $57.8 Million four-year deal.

Clarkson’s 20-year-old brother Julian, nicknamed Bear, hadn’t been to Manila before. “We do a lot of cool things together, like going to music bars,” said Clarkson. “He’s my guy, he’s with me everywhere. I wanted to bring him over to Manila and show him around.”

Clarkson and his brother grew up in San Antonio with their father Mike. An NBA player who grew up with Clarkson is Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson. They were teammates at Wagner High School in San Antonio. “The Spurs were winning championships when we were growing up so we definitely were watching them play,” said Clarkson. “I talk to my dad a lot, text messaging and checking on each other. He’s back home in San Antonio and it’s always good to see him when I visit.”

Clarkson said he draws his inner strength from his Filipina mother Annette and Filipina grandmother Marcelina. “They’re both very strong, holding the home down for the whole family,” he said. “I take my strength from them to fight through any situation.” His mother lives in Los Angeles and helps in organizing Clarkson’s summer camps.

Asked for his advice to aspiring players, Clarkson went straight to the point. “When you step on the floor, go out there and compete,” he said. “Nobody’s your friend and you leave everything on the court.”

Although this past regular season was marked by the Lakers’ poor showing in finishing second to the last in league standings with a 17-65 record, Clarkson said there were positives to build on for the future. “Playing with Kobe (Bryant) in his final season was a great memory,” he said. “I think our young guys got better and we’re all growing together. I enjoy playing with my best friend on the team, D’Angelo Russell. I’m excited to be part of the Lakers. After this summer, I become a restricted free agent but I hope I stay in L. A. We’ve got the second overall pick in the coming draft and we’ve got a lot of cap space to bring in free agents. It shouldn’t be difficult to invite free agents to play with the Lakers. It’s L. A., a great place to play, we’re in the process of rebuilding and we could make history. I’m just hoping for the best.”

The Lakers are expected to undergo a major facelift for next season. New head coach Luke Walton will jump in from the Golden State Warriors where he was Steve Kerr’s top assistant and Brian Shaw is joining the staff as lead assistant. If the Lakers keep their No. 2 overall pick, they’ll end up with either 6-10 Australian Ben Simmons of Louisiana State or 6-9 Brandon Ingram of Duke, the consensus top two choices. Among the free agents rumored to be under the Lakers radar are DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Durant and Paul George.

Clarkson said whenever an NBA team celebrates Filipino Heritage Night during a home game, he feels particularly proud and special. “It’s special for me because of my own Filipino heritage,” he said. “I remember in Detroit, they had a Filipino Heritage Night and after the game, I got to interact with Filipino fans, took pictures and talked with them. It definitely was a good day for me. Whenever they have Filipino Heritage Nights in the NBA, I try to be with Filipino fans.”

  If ever he’s given the chance to make changes in the sport, Clarkson said he wouldn’t do anything because “the game’s fine.” As for the “ugly” trend of hacking poor free throw shooters to gain a possible advantage in the NBA, Clarkson declined to comment on the FIBA rule of awarding fouls shots and possession. He said to curb it, what’s needed is for players to just make their free throws.

Clarkson will be back in town in August with some NBA players and a 12-man US college All-Star team to play two games against two UAAP varsity squads at the MOA Arena.