Jordan Clarkson's homecoming is near.
Jordan Clarkson's arrival for the FIBA World Cup this month has been slightly moved.
Gilas Pilipinas left for China early Tuesday for the final training abroad and coach Chot Reyes confirmed that the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year will not join the pocket tournament.
"He won't play in China. He might just go straight here in Manila," Reyes told reporters before departing.
According to Reyes, Clarkson will arrive on August 8, two days later than what was originally relayed to them.
"We thought he was arriving on August 6, but now he's leaving [Los Angeles] on August 6. [He] should be arriving on August 8."
Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio, on the other hand, is keeping hopes up. In a message to News5, Antonio said they are "working with the Clarkson group to get to China by August 8."
There are only weeks left to prepare for the FIBA World Cup, and Reyes knows they have a lot of catching up to do with Clarkson. He, however, is confident that JC will easily integrate himself, knowing his caliber and previous history with the national team.
"Jordan's role will be huge. It's not like he's coming in blind or he's coming in for the first time. He knows what we're doing, he's an NBA player, he's a professional. Yes, there will be a lot of adjustment that needs to be done, a lot of familiarity, but he's not coming in blind," said Reyes.
(Editor's Note: This article has been updated as of 1:03 p.m. to reflect Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio's statement on Jordan Clarkson.)
(GM)