NBA: Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson ‘deeply hurt’ by anti-Asian food truck vandalism, helps fund restoration

The NBA’s sixth man of the year calls to ‘#StopAsianHate’ after food truck sprayed with racist messages in Utah

‘I know the pain that hateful language and racism causes,’ the 29-year-old guard says ahead of conference semi-finals

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Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson shoots against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, in February. Photo: TNS

Published: 2:15pm, 10 Jun 2021

Filipino-American NBA player Jordan Clarkson helped to restore a Filipino food truck vandalised with graffiti containing anti-Asian messages.

Yum Yum Food Truck, which serves “Asian fusion” dishes in Layton, Utah, was left with messages such as “F*** C*****” and faces with what appear to be slanted eyes spray-painted on its side last weekend.

The 29-year-old guard, who won this year’s NBA sixth man of the year award after a stand-out season with the Utah Jazz, said the incident “hurt me deeply” as he also experienced racism and hate in the past.

“It hurt me deeply to see that Salt Lake’s @yumyumasian was recently vandalised – I know the pain that hateful language and racism causes. With help from @identitygraphix we’ll be able to restore the truck and hopefully lift [owner] Ben [Pierce] and his family’s spirit!! #StopAsianHate,” tweeted Clarkson, who played for the Philippines national team at the 2018 Asian Games.

“I stand in solidarity with Utah’s Filipino community – love is more powerful than hate! #utahfilipino #StopAAPIHate #stopasianhate,” said Clarkson, who this season scored 203 three-pointers coming off the bench and sealing a career-high 18.4 points per game, becoming the first Asian-American and Utah player to win the sixth man award.