NBA Players from the Philippines: Full List (2026)
3 NBA players have come from the Philippines, by Wikipedia’s count (including 3 U.S.-born Filipinos). Our table below names 1: players born outside the United States with a tie to the Philippines, plus current players listed with its nationality. As of October 2026, 1 is on an NBA roster: Jordan Clarkson (New York Knicks).
NBA players from the Philippines at a glance
| NBA players, all time | 3 (Wikipedia count); 1 named in our table |
|---|---|
| On NBA rosters, October 2026 | 1: Jordan Clarkson |
| First to play in the NBA | Jordan Clarkson (2014) |
| Longest NBA career | Jordan Clarkson (12 seasons) |
| Centers | None yet |
| 7-foot prospects in our database | 1 (see them) |
| Last checked | 9 October 2026 |
Every NBA player from the Philippines
Sorted by NBA debut, earliest first. Status is as of October 2026, before the 2026-27 regular season, so it includes players on training camp deals.
| Player | Position | NBA seasons | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Clarkson | Guard | 2014 to present | New York Knicks | Also listed with the United States nationality |
Players from the Philippines in the NBA in 2026-27
- Jordan Clarkson: guard, 6’5″, age 34, New York Knicks. Entering NBA season 13; drafted in 2014, round 2, pick 16.
NBA centers from the Philippines
No player from the Philippines has played center in the NBA so far. Our database also lists 1 young player from the Philippines at 7 feet or taller.
7-Foot Prospects from the Philippines
One active player from the Philippines is listed at 7 feet or taller and born in 2001 or later in our 7-Foot Prospect Database, last checked on 9 October 2026:
- Kai Sotto: 7’3″ (221 cm), born in 2002, Altiri Chiba (Japanese B.League)
See every player, with filters by country, in the 7-Foot Prospect Database.
Player profiles from our archive
This section was first published in 2018. Teams and career details in it are as of that time; the tables above show where things stand in October 2026.
The Philippines national team is one of the best ones outside the Americas and Europe. They have the medals to prove that. They won the bronze medal in the 1954 FIBA World Championship and had the most wins on the Olympic Games outside Europe, Oceania, and America.
Aside from the bronze medal and seven appearances at the Olympic Games, they have eight SEABA championships, five FIBA Asia Cups, and apart from that Southeast Asian Games Men’s Basketball gold medals. By any standards, they are a real basketball powerhouse in that part of the world.
Philippines NBA Players
Raymond Townsend
Townsend was born December 20, 1955, in San Jose, California. Standing at 6 ft. 3 in. and primarily played as a point guard, he was the first Filipino-American that played in the NBA. He was picked as 22nd by Washington Warriors at the 1978 NBA draft. Spent three seasons in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers and the Golden State Warriors. Prior to NBA, he played college basketball as a member of the UCLA Bruins.
Andray Maurice Blatche
Andray was born on August 22, 1986, in Syracuse, New York. This American Filipino stands 6 ft. 11 and played as Center/power forward. He joined the NBA through the second round of the 2005 Draft. He played for the Washington Wizard (2005-2012) and the Brooklyn Nets (2012-2014). In 2014 he moved from NBA to the Chinese Basketball League where he signed for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers. He stayed with them for four years.
Andray received a Philippines citizenship in June 2014. That way he could join their national basketball team.
Jordan Clarkson
Clarkson was born June 7, 1992, in Tampa Florida. This 6 ft. 5 in. point guard entered the NBA through the 2014 NBA Draft. He was picked in the second round by Washington Wizards. However, he was immediately traded to the Lakers. He spent four years with the Los Angeles Lakers before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018. During his rookie season, he spent some time playing for the Los Angeles D-Fenders in the NBA development league.
Right now there are no immediate, additional NBA players expected to come from Philippines, but hopefully in the future we will see some blue chip NCAA or NBA prospects coming from Philippines.
Frequently asked questions
How many NBA players are from the Philippines?
Wikipedia counts 3 (including 3 U.S.-born Filipinos). Our table names 1 players with a tie to the Philippines.
Which players from the Philippines are in the NBA in 2026-27?
As of October 2026: Jordan Clarkson (New York Knicks).
Who was the first NBA player from the Philippines?
Jordan Clarkson, who debuted in 2014 (also listed with the United States nationality).
Which centers from the Philippines have played in the NBA?
None so far.
Are there 7-foot prospects from the Philippines?
Yes. Our 7-Foot Prospect Database lists 1: Kai Sotto.
More guides: NBA players by country. Scouting reports: NBA center prospects.
Sources: Wikipedia, List of NBA players born outside the United States (revision of 3 October 2026); RealGM NBA player list (9 October 2026); Low Key NBA 7-Foot Prospect Database. U.S.-born players with family ties to the Philippines may be missing from the table. Last checked 9 October 2026.
