Jordan Clarkson is tipped to join Gilas Pilipinas late next month before the nationals figure in a pocket tournament in China in August, which will be part of their crucial buildup for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio said the federation and Clarkson’s camp are now finalizing the scheduling and bared that the Utah Jazz star is expected to join the games in China.

“We’re talking to him. Timing lang talaga. I’m not getting the latest updates, but the last time Butch Antonio spoke to them, we’re gonna be asking him if he can come to join us in the last week of July because we want him to be part of the games in China,” Panlilio said yesterday.

“He has committed naman to play, we’re just finalizing the schedules,” he said.

Gilas spent almost a week of training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna and will fly to Estonia on Thursday, June 22, for a number of friendlies against the Estonia national team, Finland and Latvia.

Thirteen of the 21 pool members joined the Laguna camp, which was missing Justin Brownlee, RR Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, Jordan Heading, Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo, and Clarkson.

According to Panlilio, Brownlee will meet the team in Estonia as he will fly straight to the European country from the United States.

“It will be a tough couple of weeks in Europe, then they come back and continue practice here and go to China [in the] early part of August to also join mini-tournament there and a couple of friendlies,” Panlilio said.

“Then babalik sila dito then they will have a few more games before the first game on the 25,” he added. (GMA Integrated News)