NBA champion Isaiah Joe visits Manila

An NBA champion is in the Philippines.

On Friday, Isaiah Joe of the Oklahoma City Thunder talked to the media before interacting with fans at the NBA Store in Mandaluyong.

Joe is coming off his first NBA title as the Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals last June.

"You definitely have to see it to believe it. The fact that I've touched down here and I'm getting to see it is definitely amazing," Joe said about the Filipinos' love for basketball.

Joe talks about the Philippines' love for basketball: You definitely have to see it to believe it... It's definitely amazing. It exceeds what people are saying. @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/9MOdUH01pL

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) August 1, 2025

"It actually exceeds what people say... Once you live through it and actually experience it, it's like wow, this is real."

Last season, Joe posted averages of 10.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.

Asked if the Thunder can make another run for the title, Joe said they need to be hungrier than last season.

"We have to be hungry, even more hungry than we were last season. I understand that there's a target on our backs. Nobody wants us to repeat. So have a zero-zero mindset that none of this that happened in the past carries over. Everything's new, it's a new slate," he added.

Can the Thunder go back-to-back? @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/QaCuc58t36

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) August 1, 2025

Joe, 49th overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, will also be holding activities in the Philippines this weekend.

NBA star Ja Morant is also in the Philippines and showcased his talent at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

—GMA Integrated News