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Clarkson, Green commit to leadership roles at NBA Media Day

This year, there will be at least four Filipino-American players on NBA rosters.

Article (news)

Steve Angeles

TFC News

From coast to coast, NBA Media Days signifies the launch of the new NBA season, with stars, rookies, coaches, and everyone in between giving a sneak preview of the upcoming season. This year, there will be at least four Filipino-American players on NBA rosters. Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz had missed parts of the past two seasons due to injuries. He admitted that he spent the summer getting healthy, especially after trying to help the Philippines qualify for the Paris Olympics. &quot;These last two summers were super hectic for us because of FIBA and trying to make the Olympics,&quot; he shared. &quot;That’s a tough job and this summer was the time for me to just slow down and get back to being healthy, having fun with the game.&quot;Now entering his 11th NBA season, the 6th Man of the Year winner in 2021 is hoping to pass his knowledge on to his younger teammates. &quot;My thing is just giving back to the game,&quot; said Clarkson. &quot;There are small opportunities in this league but being [it&#x27;s] able to break that code and giving it to somebody they’re on their way.&quot;Jalen Green, meanwhile, shared how fatherhood has changed him.&quot;I would say just looking at things differently,&quot; he said. &quot;You know, different perspective on how I’m going to carry things, and [how] I [have to] be an example for my daughter.&quot;The Houston Rockets member, the Number 2 overall pick in 2021 is entering his fourth year in the league, which is the final year on his rookie contract. Green, who has averaged just under 20 points per game, said he is more focused on team goals. &quot;Whatever happens, obviously I want to be here,&quot; he said, &quot;but the main focus is the season and what we do forward.&quot;In Sacramento, undrafted Fil-Am rookie Boogie Ellis showed off some of his first media day activities with the Sacramento Kings.Welcoming the USC graduate to the team was Philippine basketball legend Jimmy Alapag who will be in his second year as an assistant coach for the Kings. In the Eastern conference, fresh off an Olympic win with Team USA’s coaching Staff, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra explained that the team will be ready to compete despite not making any big offseason acquisitions. &quot;You have to be about it, our guys are about it, they’ve done everything that I’ve asked them to do this offseason,&quot; said Spoelstra.&quot;From our season-ending meeting where it was raw, how we were ousted by Boston, it left a feeling in every single one of us in the locker room.&quot;Spoelstra added: &quot;For everyone, that’s new which we’re excited about the new players, and particularly young talent in the locker room.&quot;The reigning NBA champions Boston Celtics themselves have also enlisted a Filipino-American in former Toronto Raptor forward Ron Harper Jr. Harper, who missed last season due to injury, will be on the training camp roster as they kick off the preseason this weekend in Abu Dhabi against the 2023 champion Denver Nuggets.

This year, there will be at least four Filipino-American players on NBA rosters.