Jordan Clarkson breaks the internet with insane stretch

Philippines' Jordan Clarkson (L) gestures during the FIBA Basketball World Cup classification match between China and Philippines at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on September 2, 2023. (Photo by SHERWIN VARDELEON / AFP) (Photo by SHERWIN VARDELEON/AFP via Getty Images)
Philippines' Jordan Clarkson (L) gestures during the FIBA Basketball World Cup classification match between China and Philippines at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on September 2, 2023. (Photo by SHERWIN VARDELEON / AFP) (Photo by SHERWIN VARDELEON/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Team Philippines watched in awe as Jordan Clarkson single-handedly upended China.

Jordan Clarkson is having a tournament to remember.  While the Philippines, the team he plays for at the moment, is just 1-4 during the FIBA World Cup, he’s averaging 26 points per game and is shooting 41% from the floor (48.5 from inside the arc), while hitting 83% of his free throws. He’s also showing off his versatility, pulling in nearly five rebounds (4.6) and over five assists (5.2) per game.

The Philippines are right where many expected them to be record-wise, but few thought they’d be as competitive as they’ve been. Had a few of the earlier games broken their way, they’d be in the second round right now, instead of the classification round.

And while the team has been competitive, and Clarkson has been solid, both the team and the star player took it to a whole nother level against China. In the third-quarter of action, Clarkson would end up scoring 20 of his 34 points in the span of just four minutes.

Part of the reason that Clarkson was able to handle the Chinese as well as he had, was due to his 50% shot from three. He has struggled to shoot threes all tournament, clocking in at under 30% but against China, he shot 50% from behind the three.

He amassed 15 of his 34 points just from the three-point line. It was the first game of the tournament where his three-point shot really landed, and when it did, the Philippines looked as good as ever.

The Philippines are now done playing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup tournament, having finished second in Group M with six points. South Sudan was able to finish 3-2 in the tournament with eight total points and will finish in the top spot in their respective bracket.

They join Lauri Markkanen and the Finnish as teams with Utah Jazz players who are now done in the tournament.

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