“Clarkson plans to return to Gilas Pilipinas in 2023, he said, when the team takes part in Olympic qualifying competitions, including the World Cup, which the Philippines is co-hosting,” wrote Scott Cacciola in his article for The New York Times.

The Utah Jazz guard bared that he is hoping that he will be able to don the colors of the Gilas jersey as a local player, however, as per FIBA’s eligibility rules, Clarkson will be allowed to compete for the Philippines as a naturalized player.

He has yet to convince the basketball governing body that he acquired his Philippine passport before turning 16 years old to be able to play for Gilas Pilipinas as a local.

The 28-year old Fil-American basketball player has played for the national team in the 2018 Asian Games.

Moreover, he is a candidate running for the Sixth Man of the Year plum this NBA season. 

The 2023 FIBA World Cup will be the Olympic qualifier for the 2024 summer multi-sport event in Paris, France.