The Utah Jazz guard averaged 26 points in the FIBA World Cup.
NBA star Jordan Clarkson showed out for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup in Manila in August. Although they finished with a 1-4 win-loss record and failed to advance to the second round, Clarkson did his thing—getting buckets and making plays to the delight of the entire basketball-loving Philippines. In Gilas' final outing, JC gifted the home crowd with a 34-point explosion to win over their Asian rival China.
On Monday, during NBA Media Day, the Utah Jazz scoring savant was asked to look back on his latest trip to the Philippines and discuss how it felt to be treated like a hero, a pop idol, and a movie star all wrapped into one by Filipino hoop fans.
Just like he is when he receives a pass from a teammate, Clarkson was ready to deliver.
“It’s love,” the 2021 NBA Sixth Man of the Year replied. “It’s something you really can’t describe. I think you just got to be there to really see it and feel that energy.”
Clarkson went further and, in a way, spoke on behalf of the other NBA stars who went to Manila to play in FIBA’s flagship event.
“Everybody that came to Manila felt that, especially the NBA guys and guys from other countries, they were getting hounded as well,” the 31-year-old bucket-getter said.
At the end of the day, it all boiled down to one thing, according to Clarkson. And he’s definitely not wrong.
“It was all love. Philippines is a real big basketball place. I think everybody felt it when they were there,” he concluded.
Clarkson is entering his 10th season in the NBA. He’s coming off a year averaging a career-best 20.8 points for the Jazz.
(PM)