NBA: Jordan Clarkson Cleared to Play in Asian Games

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson (196 cm, Missouri’14) has been granted a one-time exception to play for the Philippine Team in the Asian Games, set to take place this week in Jakarta Indonesia. Aside from Clarkson, Chinese players Zhou Qi (Houston Rockets) and Ding Yanyuhang (Dallas Mavericks) have also been granted permission to play for China.

Clarkson, who is a Filipino-American player, has been wanting to represent his country in international basketball competitions for some time now. However, due to conflicts with the NBA schedule, he has been unable to don the colors of his mother’s homeland. Until now.

As stated in the official communique, “an agreement between the NBA and FIBA  stipulates NBA players are allowed to participate only at the Olympics, FIBA Basketball World Cup, Continental Cup competitions, and associated qualifying tournaments.”

But the league said there was a communication breakdown with the Chinese and Philippines basketball federations. After the sides negotiated, the league agreed to allow a dispensation.