By NIKOLE JAVIER
Reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao has been invited by the New York Knicks to play in the 2024 NBA Summer League, Miguel Rocha, Strong Group Athletics’ head of PR confirmed in an Instagram post on Thursday, Jan. 25.
This comes at the heels of Quiambao’s exceptional performance in the ongoing 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship where Strong Group went undefeated in its group campaign for a 5-0 record heading into the quarterfinal round.
The 22-year-old has been scouted by the Knicks and received the offer on top of a potential stint for one of the UAE teams which already showed interest in acquiring him as an import.
Quiambao has been playing along side NBA caliber talents in the Dubai tilt with guys like Dwight Howard, Andray Blatche and Andre Roberson bannering the Strong Group team
“And I confirm [that] he did get offered to play for the Summer League. Yes, he did. He got offered to play in the Summer League, but there is no decision yet. No, decision for Kevin Quiambao. What matters is he got offered by New York to try out in the Summer League. And that’s already a big plus, already a big win for Philippine basketball considering na we were trying to get the first Filipino, pure blooded Filipino into the NBA. And it all starts there,” said Rocha.
Playing in his fittest, finest form yet, Quiambao previously revealed he has decided to stay for at least one more year in De La Salle University where he is eyeing to earn his degree.
The 6-foot-5 big man capped his brilliant sophomore year sweeping all available individual awards in the UAAP Season 86 that saw him steered the Green Archers to their 10th title – propelling him to the top as one of the most decorated student-athletes.
“But for Kevin Quiambao, [he] has not committed yet to saying yes. Because maraming factors na naman ‘yan. He already committed to La Salle. There’s gonna be problems if, not [really] problems, but more of gonna be hurdles if he said yes,” he added.
In 2023, Gilas Pilipinas center Kai Sotto made his debut in the Summer League with the Orlando Magic where he unfortunately sustained a back injury.
While Sotto has already expressed that he has plans to continue pursuing his NBA dreams, Quiambao is also on track to become the first full blooded Filipino in the big league.
“His performance in Dubai proved that maraming nanonood. Not just fans, but there are also scouts who watch online. Not only do they look State side, they already look outside America.”
