Remy Martin, Kai Sotto: Filipino NBA G-League Connection
kai Sotto is officially going to the NBA G-League while Remy Martin of Arizona State University has already expressed his intention to join the 2020 NBA Draft.
Whether Martin gets drafted or not, there could be a chance that Martin may spend time in the G- League. While we wish him the best so he can make the major league, there is simply too much competition in his position.
Kai Sotto and Remy Martin could form a Filipino connection in the G-League. Our 7-2 unicorn can learn a thing or two from Martin, who is probably one of the most successful FilAmericans in Division 1 NCAA. He is the best player for the Sun Devils, averaging 19.1 points in his junior year in a very competitive Pac-12 Conference.
What makes Martin so endearing is how proud he is of his Filipino heritage. He has openly volunteered to play for Gilas Pilipinas — an opporM tunity that some Fil-foreign prospects have infamously passed on.
Unfortunately, despite his dual citiM zenship, Remy is not eligible to repreM sent the country in FIBA tournaments. This is probably due to the Hagop Rule, which prioritizes residency over lineage, eventually excluding prime Pinoy prospects like Jordan Clarkson.
Nevertheless, Sotto and Martin meeting up in the NBA, G-League or the Big league is definitely in play. Martin has reached out to fellow FiliM pinos, as seen in a Pac-12 game where Martin’s father was watching with Virginia Cavalier and NCAA champ Kihei Clark’s father. Both are married to Filipinas.
Someday, Kai could be teammates with Martin or even Clarkson, with their determined efforts and millions of players, there could be legitimate NBA representation for the PhilipM pines. Hopefully, FIBA can amend their rules and this would translate in international meets.
Complications
Speaking of eligibility, there has been confusion on the status of another seven-footer, Sage Tolentino. The SaM mahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has yet to clarify the status of whether the Hawaii-based high school cager has successfully applied for a PhilM ippine passport — one of the stern requirements in the Hagop Rule.
Sage just recently turned 16, and the question is whether he has applied or not. If they applied and the passport is eventually processed, Sage could play as a local and form a twin tower tandem with Kai.
On the surface, it seems like the Filipino hoops fans are more ardent in pursuing international talent, and we cannot blame them. It was the Filforeigners that elevated the level of play in the PBA.
We do have a pool of local talent, but these players are playing at the highest levels and getting some of the best trainM ing. At the very least, if they are part of our national pool, then our locals are exposed to a high level of play.
There have been many players who have slipped through the process and most of the time, the SBP gets the brunt of the blame. It is quite unfair, though, since not all of the players or their families share the same fervor that Martin or Clarkson does.
NBA Amnesty
There is never an off-season for the front office, and in the NBA, there is a possibility that some of the biggest stars may switch teams — in places you’d least expect them.
In a recent Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst brought up the possibility that because of the ecoM nomic hit from the pandemic, the NBA owners may decide to revive the amM nesty program in order to save them from paying the additional luxury tax.
In this scenario, teams can take out one contract from their books to lower their salary cap hold (but of course, they will still pay the player).
Our own Andray Blatche was an amM nesty “beneficiary” and this allowed him to pursue the next phase of his career. But if there were an amnesty program, huge contracts of Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, John Wall and Blake Griffin might be taken out.
Imagine if these players were able to clear waivers and sign with contenders like the LA teams, Celtics or Bucks. This is still a remote possibility, but all bets are on the table in an unprecedented situation.