By Jason Cruz
NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
It’s once again time for another installment of the Layup Drill. In this month’s column, we take a look at the PGA Championship winner and the debut of Rikuu Nishida. But first, we look at two players in the NBA Finals.
Clarkson faces Harper in the NBA Finals
The NBA Finals will feature the San Antonio Spurs facing the New York Knicks. The big news for many Filipino fans of the game is that the Knicks’ Jordan Clarkson and the Spurs’ Dylan Harper will be playing against each other in the finals. It will be the first time that a Filipino American is playing in the NBA Finals and it will guarantee one will win a championship.
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper catches a pass during a workout prior to the start of the NBA Finals basketball series against the New York Knicks, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
When asked about representing the country his mother is from, Harper stated, “It’s a blessing to represent the Philippines and where I’m from. I think Jordan Clarkson [and I] do a great job in doing that.” Harper’s mother, Maria Pizzaro, is a former Division I basketball player at the University of New Orleans. She coached Harper and his three brothers in high school and continues to coach. Her ex-husband is Ron Harper, the former Chicago Bull/Los Angeles Laker. Harper attended Rutgers for one year prior to entering the NBA Draft. He was picked second overall to San Antonio. This year, Harper has averaged 11 points per game and shooting over 30% from 3-point range. During the playoffs, he’s upped the average to 13 points a game.
New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson (00) plays in the second half during Game 6 in a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series April 30, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Northwest Asian Weekly had the chance to interview Clarkson back in 2015 when he was a Los Angeles Laker. Clarkson’s 12-year career includes stints with the Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, and now the New York Knicks. He has embraced the fans of the Philippines and even represented the country in FIBA International play. Clarkson averaged 9 points in 18 minutes per game coming off of the bench for New York in the regular season.
British Indian wins PGA Championship
English golfer Aaron Rai pulled off a massive upset when he won the PGA Championship this past May. The PGA Championship was held at the Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania near Philadelphia. Rai became the first golfer from England to win the PGA Championship since 1919. He is the second player of Indian heritage to win a men’s major championship since Vijay Singh won the PGA Championship in 2004.
Aaron Rai, of England, holds the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club, May 17, 2026, in Newtown Square, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Rai’s mother immigrated from Kenya to England. His father emigrated from India.
Rai was born and raised in England and his parents introduced him to the game of golf. He used plastic golf clubs and then moved into a set of golf clubs at age 7. Rai’s golf game was elite at an early age. He participated in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships in Pinehurst, North Caroline from ages 8-12. He turned professional at the age of 17.
Rai first started on the regional circuits in Europe before moving to the United States to step up his game and play in the PGA.
Rai’s victory came out of nowhere as his best victory prior to that was the 2024 Wyndham Championship tour event. Prior to that, his best finish as a professional was 19th.
Rikuu Nishida makes MLB debut
Outfielder Rikuu Nishida made his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox on May 25, 2026. The 5-foot-6 right fielder became an immediate fan favorite. The 25-year-old became the first Japanese born and raised player to play NCAA Division I baseball in the United States and play in Major League Baseball (MLB). Nishida was born in Japan and after high school moved to the U.S. to play baseball. He played college baseball at Mt. Hood Community College for two years and then went on to play for the Oregon Ducks. The White Sox drafted him in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB draft.
Chicago White Sox’s Rikuu Nishida talks to media before a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Chicago, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Nishida ingratiated himself to the fans in Chicago as he threw out a baserunner at home in his first game for the White Sox. Known for his energy and personality, Nishida wears number 51. When he was interviewed by reporters after the game and they compared his throw to some of Ichiro Suzuki’s, he jokingly said, “No!” “I want to change that number, 51,” he said of the number apparently issued to him by the White Sox. He noted that the number is “heavy on him,” referring to the fact that he is living up to one of the idols that he grew up watching as a child.
Jason can be reached at newstips@nwasianweekly.com.
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