Clarkson, Brownlee, or Kouame? Chot says no shoo-ins for Gilas' World Cup roster, including naturalized players

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Chot Reyes stressed there are no shoo-ins for the national team's roster for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, including the three naturalized players in the pool.

Currently, the nationals have a number of naturalized cagers in NBA player Jordan Clarkson, former Ateneo standout Ange Kouame, and Ginebra sniper Justin Brownlee. But the Philippines can only field one of them come the world-level tournament that the Philippines will co-host alongside Japan and Indonesia.

Reyes said there's no sure thing as far as the roster is concerned.

"With Justin’s performance, you see how effective Justin is and how well he played. Justin has always made himself available for whatever is required by the team. He’s willing to play the role," Chot said of Brownlee who led the Philippines in the sixth window of the qualifiers.

"Having said that, there are no shoo-ins in the team and that goes for everyone. That goes for all the local players and all the naturalized players."

Kouame had played in three games in the Asian Qualifiers, averaging 4.3 points and 5.3 rebounds. He also played during the country's campaign in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, but missed out on the Asia Cup proper due to an injury.

Clarkson, on the other hand, joined GIlas during the previous World Cup Qualifiers  window against Lebanon and Saudi Arabia where the Filipino-American guard posted 25 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists.

Reyes added that they could also go for another naturalized big man outside of the three as Kai Sotto's availability remains uncertain at this point.

"Because we have another naturalized player, Ange Kouame and we’re not ruling out the possibility of even going out and looking for another 6-foot-10, 6-foot-11 guy with all the uncertainty surrounding the Kai Sotto situation," the seasoned tactician said.

"That’s just part of our planning."

—JMB, GMA Integrated News