Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson is reportedly nearing an agreement to play for Gilas Pilipinas, the Philippine national basketball team, in the Olympic qualifier.

Clarkson, who was named to the 2014-15 season All-Rookie first team after an impressive year with the Lakers, is currently in Taipei with Gilas Pilipinas, who are competing in the 2015 William Jones Cup tournament.

Gilas Pilipinas, who played in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain last year, is currently preparing for the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, which serves as the regional qualifier for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

According to Philippine Daily Inquirer, Clarkson has expressed commitment to the national squad for the next several years or until the 2024 Olympic Games.

Despite being one of the most promising youngsters in the NBA, Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP), the country's national basketball federation, was impressed with Clarkson's desire to play for his second home.

"He's not in the Philippines to play basketball as a mercenary," SBP chairman Ricky Vargas said of Clarkson. "His commitment is beyond basketball, he wants to impart his self-discipline, his concern for winning. If you wear the Philippine flag, you have to be ready. People must envy us that we are playing for Gilas."

According to previous reports, Clarkson is eligible to play for the Philippines in international tournaments because his mother, Annette, is a Filipino. The 23-year-old guard also obtained a Philippine passport before turning 16, which is required for a player to be considered as a "local" of a certain country. He was also seen practicing with the national team in the Philippines.

SBP submitted the needed documents -- like Clarkson's birth certificate and passport -- to FIBA and are now waiting for the go signal from the governing body for basketball.

Aside from the clearance from FIBA, SBP will also need to get permission from the Lakers. It should be noted, though, that Clarkson has yet to get a new deal from the Lakers.

Clarkson, who averaged 11.9 points to go along with 3.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game with the Lakers last season, has two years left on his rookie contract. The contract situation of Clarkson is reportedly a concern for the former Missouri standout's father, but SBP officials will fly to Los Angeles to convince Clarkson's dad.

"Our talk with the father is to reassure him that, from the time that he has not signed the contract to the time that he does, and if he gets injured while with Gilas, we will assure them that during period that he will be properly taken care of," Vargas said in a separate interview.

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