https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dEwtwKsQ_o0
I just hope SBP people would get in touch with JJ Mandaquit or his handlers ASAP before this kid climbs into the NBA. Pag nagka ganoon ay mahihirapan na tayong e convince him to play for Gilas senior team.
Even if Mandaquit had already played for team USA junior teams in the FIBA U-16/17 competitions, under FIBA rules he can still play for the Philippine national senior team provided that he gets clearance from USA basketball federation. Even if Mandaquit was good enough to make it to the USA U-16/17 final 12-man roster, he's far from being among the team's most outstanding performers. He's no Jalen Green as far as stints with USA junior national teams. So even if for instance Mandaquit makes it to the NBA, I don't think he will be good enough to even get an invite for an NBA-select USA national team. There's just a lot of much mzuch better point guards than him in the NBA.
As skilled & athletic a point guard Trae Young is, he has yet to play for team USA senior team. I think there's just a lot of very good point guards in the US. The competition is just too much. I think JJ Mandaquit & his handlers know this that is why JJ expressed interest to play for Gilas. He knows that his chances of playing for an NBA-select US national team is very slim.
So I think SBP will not encounter problem seeking USA Basketball or USAB (the basketball federation of the US) clearance for JJ Mandaquit to play for Gilas.
No, this is not the good timing to lure JJ into playing for us. Guy's career is just starting.
Pretty sure he still tryna play for US in the future, it will just depend on his career trajectory.
When he becomes a journeyman, or an NBA player who's not good enough for the USA team, that is where the SBP should offer him a Gilas stint.
As much as we hate it, we have to accept that we are the 2nd option for them fil-ams. But we should gladly take it.
As of now, he will be on his first year in college, who knows, he might have a breakout year in Washington for him to be a one and done prospect.
In short, namamag-asa pa yan mag US team, most likley if nag-offer yung SBP ngayon, irereject nya because he might still hoping for a US senior stint, knowing his career is just starting. Him rejecting the SBP right now will be a bad sight to see.
It is much better for SBP to offer him a Gilas stint when that US stint won't be possible anymore because that is where he has no choice but to play for us (assuming he is interested that time).
JJ is just there anyway, no other country will try to get him beside us if he won't be a US senior team caliber-type of player.
Although him playing for US senior team is not impossible IMO. You got guys like Derrick White (who belonged to the Avengers team), Mikal Bridges (who played in the WC team) who got to the US team despite not being a superstar but a solid role player, which JJ would be most likely at best.