Filipino American and NBA history will be made in a basketball game, Oct. 28 Jazz vs. Rockets

When the NBA's Houston Rockets host the Utah Jaz on Oct. 28, expect a lot of Filipino Americans to be sitting in the Toyota Center.

Besides being Filipino Heritage Night, it will be the first time in the history of the sport that two players of Filipino descent play against each other, as the Rockets talented rookie Jalen Green takes on Jazz's outstanding sixth man Jordan Clarkson.

October 28 is the first time the Texas team has held a Filipino Heritage Night. Fans can avail a hat and a special post-game Q&A with Jalen Green. In addition to that, all fans in attendance will be given a special Jalen Green shirt.

The 6'-5" Green, who opted to forego a college scholarship to play in the NBA's G-league, was selected by the Rockets as the second overall pick in this year's NBA draft.

The Rockets aren’t the first to host a Filipino Heritage Night in the NBA. The Brooklyn Nets did a similar event in 2016 when Clarkson visited as a member of the L.A. Lakers visited, in honor of the huge Filipino community in New York and New Jersey. 

The Golden State Warriors , with a fan base drawing from the large Filipino American community in the San Francisco Bay area, has been holding a Filipino Heritage Night annually for years. 

However, the Jazz-Rocket game in Houson will be a bit more special with the meeting of Clarkson and Green.

Green, the Rockets prized rookie guard, is born to a Filipina mother, and has played in the Philippines multiple times, albeit only in exhibition games. Jordan Clarkson's mother is also from the Philippines. 

Jordan Clarkson played for the Philippines in the 2018 Asian Games.

Both players may have a chance to be teammates representing the Philippines in FIBA-sanctioned events in the future.

Clarkson has already represented the Philippines in international play, suiting up for them during the 2018 Asian Games and Green has also expressed an interest in doing the same. 

“I love the Philippines. They show me love and support and I’m just happy to represent them," said Green. "I have family out there”.