FILIPINO-AMERICAN guard Jordan Clarkson of the New York Knicks has expressed a strong desire to represent the Philippines again as Gilas Pilipinas fights for a spot in the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Doha, Qatar.
The 34-year-old Clarkson shared his thoughts during the Sept. 5, 2026 issue of GQ Philippines.
“Another World Cup is coming up, and I want to be there,” Clarkson said, when sought to share his thoughts about playing for the Philippine team.
“There haven’t been so many Filipino Americans in the [NBA] league, and Filipinos, period. So knowing that I get to represent that and kind of change the narrative in any way that I can, that’s what I’m trying to do,” he added.
Clarkson last played for Gilas Pilipinas during the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which the Philippines co-hosted with Japan and Indonesia.
Clarkson went on to average 26 points (second best in the tournament), 4.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists, helping the Philippines finish at 24th place out of 32 countries in 2023.
His finest moment came against China in the classification round as the 6-foot-5 guard erupted for 34 points, including 24 in a third quarter.
Playing in front of a packed Smart Araneta Coliseum, Clarkson finished with five threes against the Chinese as Gilas Pilipinas closed the tournament with an emphatic 96-75 win.
Clarkson hopes he could do that again for the Philippines, which, just three weeks back, galvanized its FIBA World Cup bid following back-to-back wins over Jordan and Iran in the 2027 Asian Qualifiers in Manila during the fourth window.
With two more windows left, the Philippines will try its best to sweep its last four games in the November 2026 and February 2027 windows.
The Philippines will enter the November window with an even 4-4 record, just a game behind Iran and Jordan, which share similar 5-3 slates, in Group E standings. Australia carries an immaculate 8-0 record and New Zealand is second with a 6-2 card.
The top three teams will earn outright FIBA World Cup slots, while the best fourth-placed squad between Groups E and F will also secure a spot in the Doha tournament.
