The San Antonio Spurs have a rich tradition of international basketball. Victor Wembanyama, Tony Parker, and Boris Diaw have all represented France. David Robinson and Tim Duncan, among others, have played for Team USA. Manu Ginobili won gold in 2004 while playing for Argentina.
Dylan Harper could be next in line.
In the 2027 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Wembanyama’s France team is expected to be one of the favorites, just behind Team USA. Harper could play for the Americans, kicking off an international rivalry.
If he plays for Team USA, Harper would be buried on the bench behind the likes of Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Tyrese Haliburton, Tyrese Maxey, and other more proven NBA guards. That’s if he gets an invite in the first place.
He doesn’t have to play for Team USA, though. Harper’s mom, Maria Pizarro, is an accomplished high school basketball coach and was born in the Philippines. Both Dylan and his brother, Ron Jr., could be naturalized and ruled eligible to play for the Filipino team.
That squad doesn’t have a shortage of NBA talent.
Jordan Clarkson Is Recruiting Dylan Harper
No Filipino-born player has ever suited up in the NBA, although Jordan Clarkson proudly represents the island nation. His grandmother was born there, and he’s represented the national team since the 2018 Asian Games. While basketball is very popular there, the team hasn’t found much success.
Clarkson thinks that could change.
“Another World Cup is coming up, and I want to be there,” Clarkson told GQ. “There haven’t been so many Filipino Americans in the league, and Filipinos, period. So knowing that I get to represent that and kind of change the narrative in any way that I can, that’s what I’m trying to do. Hopefully, we can see those dudes [Jalen Green and Dylan Harper] in a Gilas jersey at some point.”
Clarkson and the New York Knicks, of course, just beat the Spurs in the NBA Finals, but for a chance to represent his mother’s home country, Harper should be willing to let bygones be bygones.
The Harper Boys’ mom is a Filipino citizen, so their being naturalized wouldn’t be tough. Jalen Green, meanwhile, is in the same boat as Clarkson. He represented Team USA in junior contests before being drafted, but could easily switch allegiances.
A lineup with four NBA players should be enough for the Philippines to compete, and it clears the way for Harper to get international playing experience. Maria has even volunteered to take on a coaching role.
While they wouldn’t be medal favorites, they would be a dangerous team to face in qualifying rounds, with an offensive attack that could rival nations like Canada and Australia. Of course, the frontcourt would still be an issue, but with Clarkson’s experience helping lead the way, they could be a real threat.
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