Exceptions to the rule

There were at least 16 naturalized players listed in rosters at the recent FIBA World Cup with Gilas’ Jordan Clarkson and China’s Kyle Anderson among the few exceptions as “imports” with blood lineage to the countries they represented. In FIFA, a player may be enlisted by a country where he or she wasn’t born for as long as a biological connection is traceable down to a grandparent/parent or a five-year residence is established from the age of 18. In FIBA, a foreign-born player may be enlisted without a biological connection and is eligible as soon as he or she is issued a passport but only one is allowed per team. Exceptions are foreign-born players who are issued a passport before turning 16 and foreign-born players with a relatively long history of residence, with or without a biological connection.

Clarkson’s case is unique in that he was issued a Philippine passport after turning 16 and was not naturalized by Philippine law. Because of his Filipino heritage, Clarkson is entitled to a Philippine passport without giving up his American status as a dual citizen. FIBA, however, recognizes Clarkson as naturalized under its eligibility rule. If Clarkson lived in the Philippines for an extended period or went to a Filipino school or played in a Filipino league, FIBA would probably reclassify him as a local regardless of his Filipino lineage. SBP has appealed for Clarkson’s reclassification but FIBA is standing firm on its decision. Justin Brownlee may even be reclassified a local because he has lived in the Philippines since 2016 before FIBA changes its mind on Clarkson.

Let’s recap who were some of the FIBA World Cup naturalized players. Jordan’s recruit was TNT import Rondae Hollis Jefferson, born in Pennsylvania. He