Header Ads Widget

NBA clears Clarkson to play in Asiad through "one-time exception"

The NBA officially gave Jordan Clarkson the green light to play in the Asian Games. Ivan Saldajeno (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

BINAN--The NBA revealed that it gave both China and the Philippines a "one-time exception" that will allow both teams to have their respective players playing in the said league compete in the Asian Games.

While the NBA reiterated that the Asiad is not part of the international competitions where it can give its players automatic clearance to play as per its agreement with FIBA, the league gave in after it was revealed that Cleveland's Jordan Clarkson is listed in Gilas' lineup and Houston's Zhou Qi and Dallas' Ding Yanyuhang are part of the Chinese squad.

"Due to a lack of clear communication of that agreement between the NBA and the Chinese and Philippine basketball federations, the NBA has agreed to provide this one-time exception," the NBA said in a statement.

The league initially disallowed Clarkson to play for Gilas as per an official statement on Sunday, but on Tuesday night, the top officials of the Philippine delegation in Jakarta led by chef de mission Richard Gomez confirmed that Clarkson was cleared again to play.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno