MANILA, PHILIPPINES - AUGUST 22: Children play basketball next to a mural of Filipino-American NBA player Jordan Clarkson, at a tenement building ahead of the FIBA World Cup on August 22, 2023 in Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines. The basketball world cup starts on August 25 in Philippines, Indonesia and Japan. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)
World Cup victory or not, Jordan Clarkson is benefiting from the exposure
Jordan Clarkson is establishing a legacy with Team Philippines.
The Utah Jazz’s former Sixth-Man of the Year winner is hoping to extend his playing career highlights and awards past the NBA and into the international scene. He’s the face of the Phillipino national team and will be the catalyst for the squad’s attempt to win the FIBA World Cup. While other Jazz players are also competing for the World Cup victory, outside of Lauri Markkanne and Team Finland, Clarkson, and the Philippines have the highest hill to climb.
And while a win in the tournament is unlikely, that doesn’t mean that Clarkson won’t benefit from the exposure. Due to his play in the Asian market so far, he’s caught the attention of Chinese shoe company Anta, and signed a deal with the company this summer.
According to Naveen Ganglani (via Sports Illustrated), he’ll wear the shoes through the tournament and the two sides are talking about him continuing the brand sponsorship into the regular NBA season. Former Jazz player Gordon Hayward also has an Anta shoe deal.
The shoe deal isn’t the only thing that has people talking, but apparently, the Phillipino coaches love having Clarkson as part of the team. Team Philippines (also called Gilas Pilipinas) head coach Chot Reyes recently spoke to reporters and highlighted Clarkson’s mentality. Citing that he doesn’t ask for special treatment and practices alongside his teammates like anyone else, with Reyes being quoted as saying (via Sports Illustrated)
I’ve always said this; when Jordan is here, he’s just one of the guys. He doesn’t demand to be treated differently. He goes through everything that everybody else is doing. We’ve always known that about Jordan from way back, from the first time we’ve had him, he’s never demanded any kind of special treatment. That’s why we really like to have him around.
Shoes and a sterling reputation aren’t all that Clarkson has his eyes set on, however. He’s there to win. Sadly, the team is currently ranked no. 40 and have to face the Dominican Republic and Italy in the opening round. The Dominican Republic has Karl-Anthony Towns anchoring the team, while Jazz teammate Simone Fontecchio carried Team Italy into an undefeated run during the preliminary (friendly) games.
Clarkson stands to gain a lot if he’s able to carry the Philippines deep into the tournament.
