Knicks’ Clarkson, Spurs’ Harper proud to represent PH in NBA Finals

MANILA, Philippines – As Jordan Clarkson returns to the NBA Finals, there is also a player of Filipino descent on the opposing team who is gunning for a historic championship.

And that means for the first time, a player of Filipino heritage will be crowned an NBA champion as Clarkson and the New York Knicks battle Dylan Harper and the San Antonio Spurs in the best-of-seven title clash starting on Wednesday, June 3 (Thursday, June 4, Manila time).

For Clarkson, it is an “amazing thing” to have two Filipino-American players see action on basketball’s grandest stage with the goal of not only helping their storied teams capture a much-awaited NBA championship but also representing their roots.

Back in the finals for the first time since 1999, the Knicks seek their first NBA title since 1973, while the Spurs aim to rekindle lost glory over a decade since they last reached the finals and won their last championship in 2014.

“Definitely inspiring to the Filipino-Americans and Filipinos all around the country,” said Clarkson. “So it’s definitely going to be fun to watch.”

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Clarkson first made the NBA Finals in 2018, although he and the Cleveland Cavaliers were swept by the Golden State Warriors.

After that Finals stint, Clarkson honored his Filipino lineage by suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia and the 2023 FIBA World Cup co-hosted by the Philippines.

It has been three years since Clarkson last donned the national colors, but he gets a chance to accomplish a monumental feat for the country where her late maternal grandmother, Marcelina Tullao Kingsolver, was from.

Harper, whose mother Maria is Filipina, has the same sentiments.

“I think me and him get to do something really special, represent our country, where we’re from, represent everything on the biggest stage of basketball,” said Harper.

“I feel like over there in the Philippines, basketball, it’s probably the biggest thing,” Harper added. “I think we’re very excited for that and we’re just very blessed and grateful to be in this position.”

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Clarkson and Harper have taken differing roles for their respective teams in this postseason.

A backup in a stacked Knicks backcourt featuring Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges, Clarkson has played sparingly in the playoffs, churning out 5.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in a little under 12 minutes per game.

Meanwhile, Harper — the son of five-time NBA champion Ron — has been one of the Spurs’ more important players despite being just a rookie as he averages 13.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals across 17 playoff games.

From one Filipino-American to another, Harper’s play has caught Clarkson’s attention.

“He’s been really good throughout the whole year. I’ve been watching him, keeping up with him as well,” Clarkson said of Harper.

“And him being so young, having so much poise throughout this whole playoffs, it’s a great sight to see a young star coming in this league and doing what he’s doing.” – Rappler.com