Ricardo Ratliffe has been cleared to represent South Korea at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta Palembang ©Korean Basketball Association

Ricardo Ratliffe, a naturalized United States-born basketball player, will be able to compete for South Korea at the 2018 Asian Games, it has been announced.  

The Korea Basketball Association has revealed that the Olympic Council of Asia has informed it that Ratliffe is eligible to play in the Asian Games, due to take place in Jakarta and Palembang between August 18 and September 2.

Ratliffe became a naturalized Korean citizen in January under a special programme that fast-tracks citizenship for people with certain specialized skills.

"I'm just honored [to be eligible to join the Korean national team]," he said. 

"I'll try to help South Korea be a better team."

Ricardo Ratliffem right, became a naturalised South Korean citizen in January ©Getty Images
Ricardo Ratliffem right, became a naturalised South Korean citizen in January ©Getty Images

Ratliffe is widely considered the best centre in the Korean Basketball League.

The 29-year-old, born in Hampton in Virginia, made his professional debut in Korea in 2012 after graduating from the University of Missouri. 

He played for Ulsan Mobis Phoebus until the 2014-15 season, moving to Seoul Samsung Thunders in 2015.

He plans to start using his Korean name, Ra Gun-ah, which means "Robust Man".