(CNN Philippines, March 1) — With five months left before the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, who will be Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized player in the global showpiece?
Gilas head coach Chot Reyes said everything is up for grabs when it comes to the final national team roster in the FIBA World Cup to be hosted by the country alongside Japan and Indonesia, and that includes the naturalized player.
“There are no shoo-ins in the team. There’s no one with a lock, that goes for everyone,” the veteran tactician said after Gilas’ game against Jordan.
There are two names that have fans debating on who deserves to be Gilas’ reinforcement in the World Cup: Justin Brownlee and Jordan Clarkson.
Brownlee, who recently acquired Filipino citizenship, is a six-time champion and three-time Best Import in the PBA.
Meanwhile, Filipino-American guard Clarkson is a former Sixth Man of the Year in the NBA.
So who can carry the cudgels for Gilas in the prestigious tournament? There’s no precise answer here as both players are more than capable of leading a basketball-crazy nation in any competitions.
Comparing their numbers in the two FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers games they played for the Philippines will give a better understanding on what they bring to the table.
Brownlee averaged 29 points, eight rebounds, and four rebounds for Gilas. In his first tour of duty for the Philippines, the 6-foot-6 cager showed he can easily adjust and dish out plays for his teammates. He was also effective on the defensive end, making stops when needed.
On the other hand, Clarkson tallied 25 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.5 rebounds in the games versus Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. The 30-year-old can score in bunches when he gets hot. He needs the ball most of the time, which oftentimes stagnates the offense and leave his teammates waiting for the play to develop.
Brownlee has proven time and again that he’s an all-around team player, while Clarkson will draw attention with his NBA credentials.
The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup will run from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10.
