SBP questions NBA over China players in Asiad

MANILA, Philippines – The Jordan Clarkson issue may not die soon as two Chinese players, who are under contract in the NBA, made it to the Chinese team for the 18th Asian Games men’s basketball tournament that fires off Tuesday.

Zhou Qi and Ding Yanyuhang, who are listed in the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks rosters, respectively, were in China’s Final 12 submitted during the team managers meeting Monday night.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is begging for an answer on what is the position of the National Basketball Association regarding China.

The Philippine cage federation is curious why the NBA is focused on Clarkson.

Zhou and Ding are in for China while Clarkson is out, replaced in the last minute by Don Trollano, during the team managers’ meeting.

On Sunday, the NBA said NBA players are not allowed to play in the Asian Games, barring Clarkson from joining Team Philippines in the Jakarta meet.

“The NBA’s agreement with FIBA stipulates that NBA players can participate in the Olympics, the FIBA World Cup, Continental Cup and associated qualifying tournaments,” the NBA said in an official statement released by NBA spokesman Tim Frank.

“Because the Asian Games are not one of those competitions, the NBA players are unable to participate. In accordance with the NBA’s agreement with FIBA, Jordan is welcome to represent the Philippines in the agreed-upon competitions,” the statement added.