Jordan Clarkson to suit up in Asian Games for Philippines

Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson will play in this year’s Asian Games for the Philippines after the NBA granted him a “special exception.”

Clarkson is Filipino-American and has been granted the same exception as Rockets center Zhou Qi and Mavericks forward Ding Yanyuhang. Both of them will suit up for China.

“My heart is full of gratitude for everyone who helped make this happen. See you all very soon,” Clarkson said in a Facebook post.

The league’s decision reversed an earlier ruling that said due to the NBA’s relationship with FIBA, NBA players were only allowed to participate in FIBA sanctioned events– that didn’t include the Asian Games. Due to a miscommunication between the league and the players, however, a special exception has been made for this year.

“Due to a lack of clear communication of that agreement between the NBA and the Chinese and Philippines Basketball Federations, and after further discussions with both Federations, the NBA has agreed to provide this one-time exception,” the NBA said in a press release.

Clarkson arrived in Jakarta in time to watch most of the Philippines’ first game in pool play against Kazakhstan on Thursday. They went on to win 96-59 and will face China on Tuesday.