Players that we can have naturalized

[FilWelsh2]

It's gonna be a long 8 months with all this speculation and clamor for adding new players. Lool.

I’m on with adding new players in the pool but only after 2025 FIBA Asia Cup… SBP and Cone must keep JBL and Gilas team intact until then.

 

[Dotch2]

That sucks. And Green has been playing well enough to be in serious consideration for team USA next Olympics.

He did however say he wants to play for USA and then Philippines. Maybe he can do a Klay.

Getting Jalen Green is a long shot anyway. USAB President Grant Hill has probably already sent out fillers to him to be in the next batch of NBA Players for Team USA.

Maybe only 1 or 2 players, or maybe none at all will be retained from the 2024 Paris Olympic Team. Those guys are old, and the ones that are younger ( Ant, Hali, JT) already said they will only play in the Olympics.

 

[IPC2]

Onyeka Okongwu's name was also floated around. He would be solid.

I agree, availability will be a concern.

But on his quality, I'm not sure about him not being up to the task offensively. For perspective, imports who don't even make it to the NBA go crazy on offense on lower levels when given the keys. He has above average athleticism/length even in the NBA and he's only 24 and is still improving (same age as our "golden generation"). Just a few days ago he had a 20/20 game "off the bench."

But what makes him a great fit for us is he can play 4/5 and is very good defensively.

on the bold part, no disagreement there.

but on his 20/20 game. sure, looks wonderful. but he does have Trae who pulls defence away from the paint with his shooting and can pass the ball to anyone who gets free from his defender.
i have no doubt he can score atleast 20pts and he might even pull more than 20 rebs once in awhile .what I doubt is if we can give him the ball and just clear out. thats what we did with JC and thats what we do with JB lots of time. Thats also something CTC can do IF we get Boatright.

dont get me wrong, I support getting NP who can hold the paint for us on defence and on rebounding just like Douthit and Ange. it forces our locals to really step up in offense, and we saw that in spades with Casio, Castro, and RJ/SJ/Dwight. and we might even see this with Carl. but history shows us, PBA coaches like an NP they can give the ball to and everyone else just clear out.im not really sure if thats the kind of player Onyeka is.

For me, the way he scores is exactly what we need. The JC style where everyone just stands and watches is not good basketball.

For perspective, I don't think Kai can consistently score 5 pts in the NBA and yet he can be a scorer for Gilas. Okongwu averaged about 30 in the very top HS tier, more than 16 in D1 as a freshman and is on a scoring spree this year. And he's 24.

He'll be a problem in non-Aus Asia and might be our solution against rough and athletic Americas/African teams.

All moot though since he's not available. I just hope we consider his archetype more than just clear-out asa sa import types.

for sure. i agree that his type of player is better for us. i just dont see, so far, Gilas leaders going for that as evident on the whole Boatright love from them.

If we have at least one of AJ and Kai in the lineup, having players like JC and Bennie as our NP is fine. At least their weaknesses will be compensated when we have good paint protectors behind them. Of course, Scottie, Newsome, Dwight, CJ, Oftana, and hopefully Malonzo, Quiambao, and Carl can help.

However, there's a risk in having players like JC and Bennie as the NP when we miss both Kai and AJ. We risk having a hole when it comes to interior defense. After Japeth, no depth of FIBA eligibles in terms of paint protection, so our best option is most likely the NP. Can we win against the other Asian powers (Aussie, Japan, NZ, Lebanon, Iran, China, Jordan, SoKor) with a hole in our interior defense?

We take the same risk with JB, actually, but at least JB can defend well from the 3 and 4 spots, and could serve us as a small ball 5 at times.​​​​

 

[Silent Killer2]

For the nth time sbp should really pursue harper jr. As our NP.. He'll be a perfect replacement for brownlee.. or get boogie ellis.

Look much cheaper than naturalizing benny who takes ages to naturalize.

 

[live_evil2]

For the nth time sbp should really pursue harper jr. As our NP.. He'll be a perfect replacement for brownlee.. or get boogie ellis.

Look much cheaper than naturalizing benny who takes ages to naturalize.

But Al Panlilio is still sleeping in the noodlehouse and doesn't have the brains to be the SBP president and work on those things are common sense for a lot of people.

 

[Giannis34GOD2]

But Al Panlilio is still sleeping in the noodlehouse and doesn't have the brains to be the SBP president and work on those things are common sense for a lot of people.

Is Al Panlilio still operating Gilas? I thought it was Al Chua who is now the general manager of Gilas? Why keep blaming Al Panlilio? This is the job of general manager and project director.. not the president.. because he has more work to do outside handling basketball program...

 

[live_evil2]

Is Al Panlilio still operating Gilas? I thought it was Al Chua who is now the general manager of Gilas? Why keep blaming Al Panlilio? This is the job of general manager and project director.. not the president.. because he has more work to do outside handling basketball program...

all the more that he is not fit for the position. as the top guy, he sets the agenda. he should step down.

 

[sroth38392]

So, is Bennie’s naturalization cancelled?

 

[IPC2]

So, is Bennie’s naturalization cancelled?

https://www.philstar.com/sports/2025/02/04/2418997/wheres-bennie/amp/

 

[BJ_Reloaded2]

indeed father time is really catching up on JB on a faster rate.

forget Bennie Boatwright he doesn't really fit the bill.

if indeed the news are true that he is "ghosting" the calls of the SBP, well he is not our lost.

there's a lot of of potential big fish out there since SBP tends to throw it's fishing line at Uncle Sam's humongous aquarium

except for AK34 who is nurtured and harvested here domestically others comes from Uncle Sam's parameters.

I think we as fan already had the ideal quality we really need moving forward.

the fusion of the ff:

JB's attitude and manners + Andray Blatche height and skillset + Sonny Alvarado's motor and work rate(the 20/20 ave.per game) = Future Gilas Naturalize Player.

with the advent of advance technologies and different platforms nowadays fetching that kind of a fish is not rare anymore.

SBP should really hired a hotshot of a fisherman or an angler to catch such quality,

well, Sir Jim Kelly and Tony Ronzone are one of those high level fishermen we've known because of their Filipino connection and affiliation bec. of their respective wife and kids.

 

[allan_3732]

Possible Naturalized Candidates for Gilas Pilipinas


Here are a few players (as of 2024/2025) who could be considered, based on skills, position, and realistic chances:

1. Johnathan Williams

• Position: PF/C
• Background: Former NBA player; has played in Japan B.League
• Why him? Athletic, strong rebounder, fits Gilas’ up-tempo style, and already familiar with Asian basketball.

2. Thomas Robinson

• Position: PF
• Background: Former NBA lottery pick, strong presence in international leagues.
• Why him? Physical, experienced, fills the big man void. Has expressed openness to national team stints in the past.

3. JaJuan Johnson

• Position: PF/C
• Background: Experienced EuroLeague veteran
• Why him? Great two-way player, versatile, solid basketball IQ. Could blend well in FIBA play.

4. Angelo Warner

• Position: G
• Background: Imports in Asia, high basketball IQ, scorer
• Why him? Could be an option if Gilas needs a scoring guard backup behind Jordan Clarkson or if they need a flexible combo guard.

5. Dwayne Bacon

• Position: SF
• Background: Former NBA player; has played in China
• Why him? Powerful scorer, could help in the wing position if the team shifts focus from bigs to scoring.
  
  Thanks.

 

[alfrancis2]

Possible Naturalized Candidates for Gilas Pilipinas


Here are a few players (as of 2024/2025) who could be considered, based on skills, position, and realistic chances:

1. Johnathan Williams

• Position: PF/C
• Background: Former NBA player; has played in Japan B.League
• Why him? Athletic, strong rebounder, fits Gilas’ up-tempo style, and already familiar with Asian basketball.

2. Thomas Robinson

• Position: PF
• Background: Former NBA lottery pick, strong presence in international leagues.
• Why him? Physical, experienced, fills the big man void. Has expressed openness to national team stints in the past.

3. JaJuan Johnson

• Position: PF/C
• Background: Experienced EuroLeague veteran
• Why him? Great two-way player, versatile, solid basketball IQ. Could blend well in FIBA play.

4. Angelo Warner

• Position: G
• Background: Imports in Asia, high basketball IQ, scorer
• Why him? Could be an option if Gilas needs a scoring guard backup behind Jordan Clarkson or if they need a flexible combo guard.

5. Dwayne Bacon

• Position: SF
• Background: Former NBA player; has played in China
• Why him? Powerful scorer, could help in the wing position if the team shifts focus from bigs to scoring.
  
  Thanks.

Also crucial for consideration is their age and height.

 

[hmbopbaduwap2]

Possible Naturalized Candidates for Gilas Pilipinas


Here are a few players (as of 2024/2025) who could be considered, based on skills, position, and realistic chances:

1. Johnathan Williams

• Position: PF/C
• Background: Former NBA player; has played in Japan B.League
• Why him? Athletic, strong rebounder, fits Gilas’ up-tempo style, and already familiar with Asian basketball.

2. Thomas Robinson

• Position: PF
• Background: Former NBA lottery pick, strong presence in international leagues.
• Why him? Physical, experienced, fills the big man void. Has expressed openness to national team stints in the past.

3. JaJuan Johnson

• Position: PF/C
• Background: Experienced EuroLeague veteran
• Why him? Great two-way player, versatile, solid basketball IQ. Could blend well in FIBA play.

4. Angelo Warner

• Position: G
• Background: Imports in Asia, high basketball IQ, scorer
• Why him? Could be an option if Gilas needs a scoring guard backup behind Jordan Clarkson or if they need a flexible combo guard.

5. Dwayne Bacon

• Position: SF
• Background: Former NBA player; has played in China
• Why him? Powerful scorer, could help in the wing position if the team shifts focus from bigs to scoring.
  
  Thanks.

Don't think Robinson will ever return here after that "Isang bala ka lang" incident with Pido Jarencio.

 

[Sikatrix2]

Robinson is also already naturalized by Lebanon. I dont think he has played yet though. Williams played here for Phoenix, too poor a free throw shooter to be an NP personally.

 

[thatweirdguy2]

Ugh pass. I know we're not really big in development and all but those "vets" are washed at this point of their careers. JB probably could still outplay and outlast them.

Can't we get a player in his early 20s?

 

[allan_3732]

Ugh pass. I know we're not really big in development and all but those "vets" are washed at this point of their careers. JB probably could still outplay and outlast them.

Can't we get a player in his early 20s?

Here are some potential 20-year-old (or younger) players who could be considered for naturalization, based on their talent and current international status (non-Filipino citizens): Potential Candidates (as of 2025):

Note: These are speculative and not yet confirmed by SBP or FIBA.​

Mackenzie Mgbako	20	Nigeria/USA	6'8"	Forward	A versatile wing with international experience, high ceiling.
Baye Fall	20	Senegal	6'11"	Center	Athletic big man, great potential as a rim protector and rebounder.
Khaman Maluach	18	South Sudan	7'2"	Center	Already playing pro-level ball; elite size and mobility for his age.
Omaha Biliew	20	USA/South Sudan	6'8"	Forward	Strong frame, good defender; potential to grow in a system.
Izan Almansa	19	Spain	6'10"	PF/C	Skilled big man, MVP in FIBA youth tournaments. Could add finesse.

Requirements to Naturalize:

• Must not have played for another country's senior national team.
• Willing to commit long-term.
• Needs to be naturalized through Congress (PH legal process).
• Must meet FIBA eligibility rules.

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[lem0nadi2]

Love the effort, but you can’t just pick a prospect out of nowhere and make him a candidate for the national team (NT). The player should be willing and interested in playing for the NT, or else it’ll be another Boatwright scenario where he ghosts us.

Also, the prospects you mentioned have already played for their respective countries. Khaman even played for South Sudan when the World Cup was held here. Almansa already played for Spain.

The best approach is to get a Fil-Am who isn’t eligible as a local to play as a naturalized player (NP). The older Harper would work, or Boogie Ellis or Remy Martin. I know we really need a big guy right now, but if the price of getting that is waiting 3-5 years for the process of naturalizing a non-Filo player, then the NP will be 35 by the time he’s finally eligible. That’s not ideal. It’s better to have a ready-to-play young player who might not play as big but can contribute instantly. Alternatively, we can get an import playing in the PBA as an NP, which could be the same situation as JB, or if we’re unlucky again, Boatwright. But we’d have to keep trying.

It’s tough to get a younger player because teams in the PBA tend to prioritize experienced vet. JB was in his late 20s when he played here in 2016, but his naturalization process didn’t happen early due to what so reasons.

 

[BJ_Reloaded2]

The Gold standard as far as establishing a genuine basketball team both for Men and Women with the intention of consistently winning medals moving forward is as follows:

A. SBP should take the Angelo Kouame and Favour Onoh template who had a strong possibility to become a "local" moving forward therefore kids like Colin Akowe, Racine Kane among others had a strong chance to be on that same path if ever they decided to acquire PH citizenship because all of them are literally developed here both educationally and basketball skill sets.

B. Our domestic leagues should consider and treat them as a local player especially to those who already acquired their citizenship because as per Republic Act "they are entitled to all the rights and privilege as a Filipino.

C. Continue building a strong network on all diaspora to scout and identify talents and educate them all the possibilities they could get if they decided to represent the country moving forward
because were not only talking about basketball career here but also beyond that. considering the stakeholders running the show was also businessmen who owns and operates some of the major
companies here in the country and working on a corporate world after a career in basketball is still one of the best options or luckily as a privilege they could choose a "Pangkabuhayan Package" ala Kerby Raymundo among others.

D.(related to C and the previous posted statement) because of the abundance of talents in the 6'8 and above level specifically in the land of Uncle Sam who are recently or currently playing in a top-tier or mid-tier Div. 1 team who is still in the early or mid=20's, a boundary NBA level type of a player or a G-Leaguer and willing to acquire PH citizenship and has the quality that I've mentioned then the National Federation should consider him/her.

recently CTC mentioned that one of the main reasons why they decided to put only a compact pool of players aside from familiarity to the system

they are also considering the finances and perks of running and maintaining an ultra competitive national team both for Men and Women

as a diehard fan of Philippine sports as whole, indeed money matters is an onion and even the sheikhs had it's own limitation as well.

mankind has it's limitation and that's fair game.

I'm talking about Philippine Sports here as a whole, yes Team USA, Spain, France, Germany, China, Australia, Japan are among the power house not only in basketball development but also on
all sports in general.

but what really makes us a standout amongst them is because we Filipinos has the brains to run a very competitive show despite limited financial muscles.

if we can only think and work as one we could hone and discover more talented kids out there.

that is why getting a naturalized player(s) out there both for our Men and Women teams are just patching up that big holes and it is only for a short term investment.

but we are looking for a much longer investment here if we could come up with a Gold Standard of Developing Basketball Program here in our country.

to the point of we would never patching up those big holes but rather small gaps that we could bang around with the big boys during medal rounds.

 

[allan_3732]

Gilas Pilipinas can take several strategic steps to improve the national basketball team's performance long-term like Stronger International Exposure.

• Regularly participate in international tournaments and training camps.
• Play friendlies against tougher teams to gain experience.

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[JAMSKIE2]

Gilas Pilipinas can take several strategic steps to improve the national basketball team's performance long-term like Stronger International Exposure.

• Regularly participate in international tournaments and training camps.
• Play friendlies against tougher teams to gain experience.

​10% OFF on Basketball Graphic Tees In-Store Pick : Pinoyhoops Website-Basketball T-shirts online shop 2025​

How can that be possible when our beloved PBA's calendar isn't synchronized with FIBA calendar? U see, those FIBA tournaments as well as other international/invitational tournaments are held during the months of July, August & September - a time when all (except PBA) professional leagues all over the world are on their off season. Eh sa upcoming 2025 FIBA Asia Cup nga eh, our Gilas would probably get only around 9 days of preparation. On the other hand, all the other teams will train for a least a month. And the reason for that Gilas very very limited period of preparation is our beloved PBA which runs for 14 months per season.