Jordan Clarkson Contemplates FIBA Asia Tournament

With his sophomore season quickly approaching, Jordan Clarkson is reportedly torn over whether he should play in the 2015 FIBA Asian Championships.

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The Los Angeles Lakers cleared Clarkson to participate early last week per the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement that gives players the right to compete in international play baring any injury concerns.

Early reports last week had the 2015 NBA All-Rookie First Team selection passing on the opportunity to represent the Philippines National Team.

Clarkson’s desire to represent the Philippines in FIBA play stems from his mother who is half-Filipino. Time constraints could prove difficult for Clarkson to manage which only further complicates his pending decision.

The Lakers are set to open training camp later this month which will take place in Hawaii for the first time in nearly a decade. On Oct. 4 and Oct. 6, the team will also play two preseason games inside the Stan Sheriff Center. The late Dr. Jerry Buss started the tradition in 1988.

Clarkson would technically be available for the first few games, but the Lakers would require his presence shortly there after. More importantly, he would be unavailable for the FIBA knockout round.

Per Lakers reporter Mike Trudell:

"In theory, Clarkson could join the Philippines squad and play in its early-round games (Sept. 23 vs. Palestine, Sept. 24 vs. Hong Kong and Sept. 25 vs. Kuwait), but the Lakers fly to Hawaii to commence training camp just three days later.As such, Clarkson would not be able to participate in FIBA Asia’s knockout round, which begins Oct. 1."

Clarkson has just under three weeks to decide on whether to don the Philippine jersey. At this point, it almost seems pointless for the second-year guard to risk injury for three meaningless games.

The combo guard is part of the Lakers young, promising core that includes the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, D’Angelo Russell, and last year’s lottery pick, Julius Randle.

Clarkson averaged 19.4 points, 6.8 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals in the last month of the regular season.

Any injury sustained by Clarkson would be catastrophic for a franchise that is just in the beginning stages of their rebuild. The organization cannot afford to lose a guy who makes plays out of nowhere.

Next: Lakers Training Camp: Six Things to Watch

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