Suiting up for PH team 'a possibility' for Green
Jalen Green’s progress from now until the 2023 FIBA World Cup will likely determine whether playing for Gilas Pilipinas by that time is a possibility.
The Fil-American said in Thursday’s online media availability that he’s open to the likelihood of representing the Philippines during its hosting of FIBA’s biggest showpiece.
“It could be a possibility,” said the 18-year-old who is set to team up with Kai Sotto for the NBA G-League Select Team.
Green’s mother, Bree Purganan, traces her roots to Ilocos Sur.
But there’s still plenty of questions before Green seriously considers wearing the Gilas jersey.
It is still unknown if Green has already secured a Philippine passport at the age of 16 which would make him eligible to play for the country as a local player under FIBA rules. Otherwise, he will be designated as a naturalized player despite his Filipino lineage.
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Green has played for the United States as a youth player, leading the Americans to gold medals in the 2017 FIBA Americas U-16 Championship, 2018 FIBA U-17 World Cup and 2019 FIBA U-19 World Cup.
Time will see if Green can live up to his billing as a future NBA star. He opted to take the G-League Select route instead of the conventional way of playing in the US NCAA as a preparation for his NBA dream.
And if he turns out to be what experts are raving by the time he takes his act to the NBA, Green may end up representing the stars and stripes.
“I don’t really know at this point in time,” he said. “I have played for the USA, I’ve won gold medals with the USA. I’m not sure it could happen (playing for Gilas).
“Only time will tell at this point,” he added.