Clarkson, Jazz Teammates Dominating FIBA Qualifiers

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz teammates Jordan Clarkson and Simone Fontecchio have flourished this weekend while competing at the FIBA Qualifiers across the globe.

Beginning last Thursday, Clarkson, Fontecchio, Leandro Bolmaro, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker all suited up for their national teams in hopes of qualifying for the 2023 FIBA Tournament.

Here’s a look at how the four Jazz players have performed over the last week.

Jordan Clarkson Leads FIBA Host Philippines

Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson had perhaps the most impressive performance in his two games representing the Philippines.

On Thursday, Clarkson nearly led the Filipino roster to an upset over Lebanon in a narrow 85-81 loss. The former Sixth Man of the Year scored 27 points, handed out seven assists, and grabbed six rebounds in 37 minutes on the floor.

Jordan Clarkson throws it down in his home debut for Gilas Pilipinas! #FIBAWC

23 PTS, 6 AST, 5 REB, 5 3PT, W pic.twitter.com/Ozbyao9EBO

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 29, 2022

Then, in Monday’s blowout victory over Saudi Arabia, Clarkson scored 23 points, dished out six assists, and grabbed five rebounds in just 28 minutes.

The Philippines have already punched their ticket to the 2023 World Cup as one of two host countries for the event.

Fontecchio Leads Italy

New Jazz wing Simone Fontecchio found himself carrying a more significant load than expected at the FIBA qualifiers after Italian star Danilo Gallinari got hurt against Georgia on Saturday.

Fontecchio didn’t disappoint scoring 20 points and grabbing three rebounds as Italy knocked off Ukraine 97-89.

Simone Fontecchio and Nicolo Melli fuel second-half comeback as Italy rally from 12 down to deny Ukraine.#FIBAWC x #WinForItalia 🇮🇹

📺 Extended Highlights: https://t.co/4Q4fptEy1E pic.twitter.com/X1lMDuvsXL

— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) August 24, 2022

The forward followed it up with an even more impressive performance on Saturday as Italy downed Georgia 91-8 behind Fontecchio’s 21 point, eight rebound, six assist performance.

Alexander-Walker, Bolmaro Face Off

Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Leandro Bolmaro will be teammates this season with the Jazz, but the two players faced one another on Thursday as Canada took on Argentina.

Alexander-Walker scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds in just 10 minutes of action, though he did commit five fouls in his short stint on the floor.

Bolmaro recorded nearly 30 minutes of playing time and scored five points on 2-5 shooting to go with four assists and two rebounds as Canada knocked off Argentina 99-87.

🇦🇷 Bolmaro came out of nowhere! 😱 #FIBAWC | #WinForArgentina pic.twitter.com/bDwA0HVoSU

— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) August 30, 2022

Canada concluded its FIBA play Monday night in a blowout win over Panama, though Alexander-Walker didn’t suit up in the lopsided affair.

Argentina defeated the Bahamas in its final where Bolmaro recorded four points and five assists in 24 minutes.

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