Filipino-American NBA rookie Jordan Clarkson offered some advice for Filipino basketball sensation Kobe Paras who already committed to play for UCLA. Jordan Clarkson who was named to the All-NBA Rookie First Team told the Cathedral High School star Kobe Paras that he should keep working hard and compete as much as he can for an opportunity to make it to the NBA.
The 22-year-old Jordan Clarkson says that Kobe Paras will have the right avenue as an UCLA Bruin under the tutelage of Head Coach Steve Alford to become a lottery pick in the NBA Draft once he decides to turn professional.
The LA Lakers guard, Jordan Clarkson is currently in Manila for NBA Cares with Jazz point guard Trey Burke and 4-time NBA Champion Horace Grant. The Lakers guard draws his Filipino roots fromt the side of his mother Annette and her family in Pampanga.
The 6-foot-5 former Tulsa and Missouri guard is the lone notable player in the NBA with at least Filipino blood but that could change if Kobe Paras continues to improve and shine once he suits up in the NCAA in the year 2016.
When Jordan Clarkson was asked what he thinks about being a big role model for Filipinos so early into his career, Clarkson said it’s what motivates him to improve even more. The 46th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, also credits his drive for improvement to the underdog chip on his should, which is something he advises Filipinos to use as fuel to become better.
