Do Filipinos have the chance to play at the prestigious National Basketball Association (NBA)?
Around 80 young athletes from Quezon City got the needed boost to work hard on their dream of being the first Filipino NBA player from no less than Washington Wizards star player Kyle Kuzma at the Belarmino Sports Complex in Quezon City.
The 29-year old Kuzma taught the basics of offensive and defensive drills with the help of local coaches and played with the young athletes where he displayed some of his signature moves.
NBA star Kyle Kuzma (center, left photo) of the Washington Wizards joined Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Sotto and Stradcom Corporation CEO Anthony Quiambao in a basketball clinic for 80 QC young athletes at Belarmino Sports Complex sponsored by Navitas.
Kuzma averaged 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and shot 33 percent of three-pointers last NBA season.
The activity was part of the “KUZmania” fever wherein the NBA star was sponsored to visit the Philippines.
The basketball clinic, as co-sponsored by Stradcom Corporation chief executive officer Anthony Quiambao, was attended by Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, Quezon City Sports Action Officer Benjamin Afuang, and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Sami Neri.
Prior to the Quezon City engagements with young basketball players, Kuzma squeezed in a visit to Navitas Learning Haus, a hidden oasis located in Poblacion, Makati, which provides a space for all creatives, designers, artists, project visionaries, hobbyists, and interest-based clubs to promote immersive learning.
Navitas was founded during the pandemic by a former preschool teacher Elo Coronel-Quiambao with the goal of reframing learning beyond traditional boundaries.
Coronel-Quiambao gave Kuzma, a self-confessed art enthusiast and a known fashion icon, a tour of the renovated 50-year-old house, particularly its renowned spaces such as the common room used for creative meetings and workshops, the kitchen used for small cooking classes, the story room used for storytelling sessions and a facility at the 2nd floor which is used for lectures, and exhibits.
NBA star player Kyle Kuzma shares his life lessons during his vist at the Navitas Learning Haus with its founder Elo Coronel-Quiambao
Kuzma was also briefed about the various programs offered by Navitas such as Math is Not the Villain, Auntie’s Artnest, and Teacher Jack, which are related to mathematics, arts, and counseling, respectively.
During the activity, Kuzma shared his stories, especially the value of play, community, gratitude, creativity, non-linear thinking, and childhood as some of the vital foundations for one’s core, and lauded the importance of having a learning home, such as Navitas.
Kuzma also discussed the value of giving back by fulfilling his mission to help others elevate their games and themselves to the next level. He stressed that helping somebody improve is a true sign of a great player.