SBP working to complete Kouame’s FIBA documentation, will revisit Clarkson case after

Gilas Pilipinas just received a major boost after Angelo Kouame was granted Filipino citizenship after his naturalization papers were signed into law on Tuesday.

With this, the Ivorian-born center will only need to complete the requirements set by FIBA before officially being able to suit up for the national squad in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers and Olympic Qualifying Tournament in June and eventually, in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

SBP program director Tab Baldwin and interim head coach Jong Uichico both welcomed the news of Kouame’s naturalization ahead of two upcoming crucial events next month.

“We are all thrilled,” the American-Kiwi Baldwin told GMA News Online.

“It means we have a player with immense potential who will be fully committed to the Gilas program for many years to come.”

Kouame, who stands at 6-foot-10, has already shown glimpses of the future. He has been one of the cornerstones of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, whom he helped lead to a pair of UAAP titles including the sweep of the Season 82 where he averaged 12.5 points, 14 rebounds, and 5.5 blocks.

Uichico, whose squad is currently taking a break from the Calamba bubble, said Kouame will be a massive addition to the team with his height and skills.

“That is great news. Ange is a good teammate, a good player in the paint and knows the system aside from being a 7’0 athlete,” said Uichico, a decorated mentor both in the local and international basketball scene.

The Ateneo big man will lead a youthful roster, bannered by the likes of Matt and Mike Nieto, Isaac Go, Allyn Bulanadi, and Rey Suerte along with this year's PBA special draftees in Jordan Heading, William Navarro, Tzaddy Rangel, and JD Tungcab.

SBP has also given invites to other rising cagers in Dwight Ramos, Justine Baltazar, Javi Gomez de Liano, Kemark Carino, Dave Ildefonso, SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Carl Tamayo, Jason Credo, Geo Chiu, and Lebron Lopez.

The nationals are also anticipating the arrival of teen prodigy Kai Sotto, the latest signee of the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL.

With Kouame beefing up the nationals, would SBP still be looking at tapping someone like Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson to strengthen the team?

According to SBP special assistant to the president Ryan Gregorio, they will just wrap up the naturalization process of Kouame before revisiting other cases such as Clarkson’s, who’s currently playing for Utah Jazz in the NBA and is in the running for the Sixth Man of the Year award.

“Step by step. Let us celebrate Ange first,” Gregorio, a former PBA coach, said.

“When full documentation is over, then we will revisit all the other cases.”

Getting Clarkson cleared to represent the country remains a tedious job.

Although he had suited up for the Filipinos during the 2018 Asian Games, the prolific 6-foot-4 guard has yet to prove that he was able to acquire a Philippine passport before turning 16, making him ineligible to play as a local in FIBA-sanctioned events.

Under his current status, the only way Clarkson could play for the Philippines in the 2023 World Cup is to suit up as a naturalized player, the spot currently taken by Kouame. —JMB, GMA News