By Jerome Lagunzad
Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein and WNBA Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes will be in town to impart their knowledge and experience in the sport to the finalists of the 2018 Jr. NBA Philippines presented by Alaska program.
Out of the top 75 aspirants aged 10-14 in the National Training Camp set on May 19 at the Don Bosco Technical Institute, only eight boys and as many girls will be named by the 7-foot Cauley-Stein, 24, and Swoopes, 47, for the 2018 Jr. NBA Philippines All-Stars at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall the following day.
Both NBA guests will also serve as coaches at the Jr. NBA Alumni All-Star Game. The 2018 All-Stars will travel to Shanghai in October to attend NBA China Games 2018 featuring the Philadelphia 76ers and the Dallas Mavericks.
Cauley-Stein, selected at sixth overall by the Kings in the 2015 NBA Draft who averaged 12.8 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game this season, is already looking forward to his initial visit to the country.
“Filipinos are among the most passionate basketball fans in the world and I’m eager to work with these dedicated young players who have earned the right to be chosen as Jr. NBA All-Stars,” he said. “I’m excited to share my basketball knowledge and help the kids become the best version of themselves on and off the court.”
Swoopes, a four-time WNBA Champion, six-time WNBA All-Star, three-time WNBA MVP and an Olympic gold medalist, is looking forward “to this opportunity to contribute to our goal of getting more kids, especially girls, to play the game of basketball and help them understand how working hard on their craft in the same way it opened doors for my career, can unlock greater opportunities in life.
