Basketball is, without a doubt, the most popular sport in the Philippines, with amateurs, professionals, and even local celebrities participating. Apart from being simple to learn, the sport fits very well in the Philippines because of its strategic and dynamic aspect, making the game enjoyable for players and spectators.

Here are the 10 Filipino-American Basketball Players

1. 1. Nate Robinson

      

      Nate Robinson, the reserve player for the Boston Celtics, confirmed on Dime Magazine’s website that he is 1/8 Filipino. Rafe Bartholomew, the author of “Pacific Rims,” mentioned in an interview that Renee Busch, the mother of the 5-9 guard, revealed her Filipino heritage through her grandfather.

      Personal Information
      Born: May 31, 1984 (age 39) Seattle, Washington
      Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
      NBA draft: 2005 / Round: 1 / Pick: 21st overall
      Nationality: American

   2. DJ Mitchell

      

      In 2020, DJ Mitchell, a Filipino-American shooting guard for the Hartford Hawks, neared the realization of his dream as his team reached the championship game of the America East conference.

      Personal Information
      Full Name: Donovan Mitchell
      Born: Mar 12, 1997 (age 27) Melbourne, Australia
      Height: 6 ft 8 in
      NBA draft: 2022 NBA Draft
      Nationality: Australian

   3. Kihei Clark

      

      Kihei Clark attributes his Filipino heritage to his mother, Sharon, whose family originally hails from Ilocos but later relocated to Hawaii. Nalu and Shaka are his two brothers.

      Personal Information
      Born: January 25, 2000 (age 24), Tarzana, Los Angeles, California
      Height: 5 ft 10 in
      Nationality: American

   4. Kamaka Heba

      

      Roland Hepa, the father of Kamaka Hepa, proudly embodies a rich cultural background with his mixed Hawaiian and Filipino ethnicity. Born and raised in the enchanting town of Kapa’a, Hawaii, Roland Hepa carries the vibrant heritage of Hawaiian and Filipino traditions.

      Personal Information
      Born: January 27, 2000 (age 24) Utqiaġvik, Alaska
      Height: 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
      Nationality: American

   5. Jarod Lucas

      

      Born to a Filipina mother and an American father, Jarod Lucas eats, sleeps, and breathes sports with the rest of his household. His dad Jeff is a high school basketball coach and a physical education teacher.

      Personal Information
      Born: December 7, 1999 (age 24) Whittier, California
      Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
      Nationality: American

   6. Ron Harper Jr.

      

      Ron Harper, his father, was an All-American college basketball player at Miami (Ohio) and a 15-year NBA veteran who won five NBA championships. Maria (née Pizarro), his mother, is from the Philippines and played college basketball for New Orleans before going on to teach.

      Personal Information
      Born: April 12, 2000 (age 24) Paterson, New Jersey
      Height: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
      Nationality: American

   7. Josh-Pierre Louis

      

      Pierre-Louis’ lineage reflects a fascinating blend of cultures, as his mother possesses a quarter Filipino heritage, while his great-grandmother boasts full-blooded Filipino ancestry. Regrettably, Pierre-Louis finds himself without a Filipino passport, which would be a requisite for him to join the esteemed Gilas squad, should he develop an interest in representing the Philippine national team.

      Personal Information
      Born: May 8, 2001 (age 22 years old)
      Height: 6 ft 4 in
      NBA draft: Draft Eligible in 2024
      Nationality: American

   8. Raymond Townsend

      

      Raymond Townsend was born in San Jose, California. He is half-Filipino; Townsend’s mother, the former Virginia Marella, is a Filipina from Balayan, Batangas, while his father, Ray Sr., is American.

      Personal Information
      Born: December 20, 1955 (age 68), San Jose, California
      Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
      NBA draft: 1978 / Round: 1 / Pick: 22nd overall
      Nationality: Filipino / American

   9. Jalen Green

      

      Green’s mother, Bree Puruganan, has Filipino descent through her grandfather. Marcus Green, his stepfather, went to Washington Union High School in Fresno and played basketball with NBA player DeShawn Stevenson.

      Personal Information
      Born: February 9, 2002 (age 22) Merced, California
      Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
      NBA draft: 2021 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall
      Nationality: American

   10. Jordan Clarkson

       

       Jordan Taylor Clarkson, an esteemed professional basketball player of Filipino-American descent, currently demonstrates his exceptional skills as a member of the Utah Jazz in the National Basketball Association.  Wikipedia

       Personal Information
       Born: June 7, 1992 (age 31), Tampa, Florida, United States
       Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
       NBA draft: 2014 (Round: 2 / Pick: 46th overall)
       Nationality: Filipino / American

Conclusion

The NBA has seen a significant presence of players with Filipino heritage who have made remarkable contributions to the sport. These athletes also serve as cultural ambassadors, proudly representing their Filipino roots in the global basketball arena. Their success is a testament to the talent and diversity within the Filipino community and their enduring impact on basketball.

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