Words by: Luis Recto, Year 13
Jordan Clarkson’s return to the Philippines is one that creates hope for the future of Philippine basketball. Clarkson is half Filipino and had a Philippine passport before the age of 16, which means that he qualifies under FIBA’s regulations to represent the Philippines on the national stage. Future NBA Hall of Famer Steve Nash claimed that “the sky's the limit”, for Clarkson who had a fantastic rookie season playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. But for a player who has no ceiling, what would appeal to him so that he chooses to represent the Philippines over the United States?
The United States men’s national basketball team is the most decorated national team in history and their future is brighter than ever. Clarkson can compete with the best players in the world for a spot on the US national team and fight for a position on a star-studded team.
The Philippines’ love for basketball has grown ever since the American colonisation after the second World War, and today the sport is by far the most popular one in the country. For a nation that is not suited with the right genetics in the sport of basketball, Clarkson would be the heart and soul of Smart Gilas. Playing for his mother’s country will increase interest of the sport around the country, and will build the team into an actual contender against some of the best teams around the world. The Philippines will finally have a star that will be lauded by millions in a country that is ready for a rise on the global level, a star that can lead his countrymen to develop their experience and skills.
Clarkson’s visit to his hometown city of Pampanga in central Luzon brings with it the hope that Clarkson will choose to play for Philippines. But still, the same question is raised: why would he play for the Philippines over the United States?
In a clinic that he hosted towards the end of August in Pampanga, hundreds of people came to watch the world famous NBA player. To learn from a professional NBA player is a dream for both adults and children who grew up playing the game of basketball, and is a rare chance to see and understand what it’s like to make it on the highest stage in the world—to play with the likes of Kobe Bryant. The attendees all tried to understand what it takes to achieve all that Clarkson has and will accomplish. But what does a 23 year old really know about an industry that is filled with legends that have been part of a league for four or five decades? How can a 23 year old choose one country for the rest of his life without knowing how good he could possibly be? Jordan Clarkson in the eyes of the US national team is no sure thing and he may never contribute to the team, while in the Philippines he would be the most influential player to have ever played on the national team.
What does the future hold for Jordan Clarkson? No one knows. Perhaps the career of a possible superstar is about to unravel, perhaps not, but the only thing that all Filipinos around the world can do is to cheer him on and hope that one day we will see him in a Smart Gilas jersey.
%20(1).png)
0 comments:
Post a Comment