Kyle Kuzma Open to Joining Gilas Pilipinas, Reuniting with Jordan Clarkson
Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, known for his vibrant personality and bold fashion sense, has shared a close connection with Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson. Both players, with their distinctive styles and shared time on the court as Los Angeles Lakers teammates during the 2017-18 season, seem to feed off each other’s energy. Now, there’s a possibility that the two could reunite on the international stage.
Kyle Kuzma’s Interest in Playing for Gilas Pilipinas
In a recent interview with ALL-STAR Magazine, Kuzma expressed interest in joining Clarkson on the Philippines’ national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas. When asked about the potential team-up, Kuzma responded, “If I didn’t play for Team USA… I could rock out with JC. That would be cool.”
While Kuzma remains committed to his ultimate goal of playing for Team USA in the Olympics, his willingness to consider playing for Gilas reflects a growing trend of American-born players representing other countries in international competitions. However, there’s a significant challenge to overcome.
FIBA Regulations on Naturalized Players
For Kuzma to join Gilas Pilipinas, the team would need to navigate FIBA’s rules on naturalized players. Each team is allowed only one naturalized player, and currently, Clarkson occupies that spot. Although Clarkson’s mother is Filipina, a citizenship issue surrounding whether he obtained Filipino nationality before turning 16 has complicated matters. As a result, Clarkson was designated as a naturalized player rather than a local one.
Can Clarkson’s Status Change to a Local Player?
There may still be hope for Clarkson to be reclassified as a local player. According to FIBA regulations, the secretary-general has the discretion to consider players locals based on factors such as the length of time spent in the country, participation in domestic leagues, and other criteria that establish a strong link between the player and the nation.
Clarkson has represented the Philippines in international play since 2018 and was recruited by the national team as early as 2011. His mother’s Filipino heritage further strengthens his connection to the country. Should FIBA determine that Clarkson qualifies as a local player, it could open the door for Kuzma to join as Gilas’ naturalized player.
A Potential Reunification on the International Stage
While it remains uncertain whether Kuzma will play for Gilas Pilipinas, the possibility of reuniting with his former Lakers teammate Jordan Clarkson on the international stage is an exciting prospect. With Kuzma’s admiration for Clarkson and a growing number of American players representing other nations, fans can only hope that the duo will share the court once again.
Source: https://lastwordonsports.com/basketball/2024/09/10/former-jordan-clarkson-teammate-open-to-joining-gilas-pilipinas/