In this blog, we will be discussing the top Philippines NBA players who are currently representing various teams in the NBA competition (National Basketball Association) alongside their career statistics, achievements, and teams they have represented so far in the competition.
Top 5 Philippines NBA Players to Watch out
Here are the descriptions of the 5 players that have the Philippines descent and have performed really well over the years in the NBA.
1. Philippines player in NBA - Nate Robinson
Among the best Philippines NBA Players, Nate Robinson is a Filipino American pro basketballer who hails from Seattle. Robinson started playing basketball during his college days for the University of Washington and later was chosen as the 21st pick in the 2005 NBA draft.
Robinson played as a point player in the NBA for a number of teams like the New York City Knicks, Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orleans Pelicans.
Among Nate’s significant success is coming to be the NBA's first three-time slam dunk champ in 2010. Throughout his occupation, he showcased his athleticism and skills on the court, earning regard and admiration from followers and peers alike.
Year | Team | GP | PPG | APG | MPG | SPG | 3P% | RPG | FG% | FT% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013–14 | Denver | 44 | 10.4 | 2.5 | 19.7 | 0.8 | 0.377 | 1.8 | 0.428 | 0.835 |
2014–15 | Denver | 33 | 5.8 | 2.3 | 14.1 | 0.4 | 0.261 | 1.2 | 0.348 | 0.650 |
2014–15 | L.A. Clippers | 9 | 5.1 | 2.2 | 14.0 | 0.7 | 0.350 | 1.2 | 0.333 | 0.833 |
2015–16 | New Orleans | 2 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 11.5 | 0.5 | 0.000 | 0.00 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
Career | 618 | 11.0 | 3.0 | 22.5 | 0.9 | 0.360 | 2.3 | .423 | .796 |
Career highlights and awards of Nate Robinsons
- Pac-10 All-Freshman Team (2003)
- 2× First-team All-Pac-10 (2004, 2005)
- Third-team All-American – AP, NABC (2005)
- Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award (2005)
- 3× NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (2006, 2009, 2010)
- Venezuelan League champion (2017)
- Venezuelan League Grand Final MVP (2017)
2. NBA Players from Philippines - DJ Mitchell
Donovan James Mitchell, born on March 12, 1997, is an American specialist basketballer currently betting the Brisbane Bullets in the National Basketball Organization (NBL). While he was birthed in Australia, Mitchell was raised in the USA and holds an Irish ticket.
Before his professional career, Mitchell played college basketball for both the Wake Woodland Satanic Force Deacons and the Santa Clara Broncos. Following his university career, he stepped into pro basketball, playing in different teams from those in the Netherlands, Australia, and Poland.
Mitchell's journey showcases his passion for the sport and growing rapidly in his basketball career with the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL. DJ Mitchell is a NBL1 North champion (2022).
3. Kihei Clark
Kihei Isaiah is a top basketball to look forward to among the top Philippines NBA Players. Kihei was born on January 25, 2000, and is currently representing the Wisconsin Herd in the NBA G League.
Throughout his college years, Clark played basketball for the Virginia Cavaliers, representing them in the Atlantic Coast Seminar (ACC).
Kihei Clark's Career stats for the last 4 seasons in the NBA:
Year | Team | GP | PPG | APG | MPG | SPG | 3P% | RPG | FG% | FT% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019–20 | Virginia | 30 | 10.8 | 5.9 | 37.1 | 1.2 | .375 | 4.2 | .375 | .876 |
2020–21 | Virginia | 25 | 9.5 | 4.5 | 34.0 | .7 | .323 | 2.0 | .411 | .734 |
2021–22 | Virginia | 35 | 10.0 | 4.4 | 36.0 | .9 | .346 | 2.9 | .387 | .782 |
2022–23 | Virginia | 33 | 10.7 | 5.4 | 33.2 | 1.0 | .352 | 2.6 | .399 | .767 |
Career | 161 | 8.9 | 4.5 | 33.2 | .9 | .349 | 2.8 | .386 | .795 |
Kihei Clark's Career Achievements:
- ACC All-Defensive Team (2023)
- 2× Third-team All-ACC (2020, 2023)
- NCAA champion (2019)
4. Kamaka Hepa
Among the top current Philippines NBA Players, Kamaka Hepa is definitely a young star who has earned great respect and a name in his career. He was born on January 27, 2000, and is a professional basketballer who has played for Texas and Hawaii teams in the NBA. He recently joined the Zastal Zielona Góra team of the Professional Basketball League of Poland.
Before stepping into his professional career, Kamaka started playing the game during his college days and played college basketball for both Texas the Longhorns, and the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
He additionally represented the USA at the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Americas Champion in St. Catharines, Ontario, where he contributed approximately 3.3 factors and 5 rebounds per game and his performances led to a gold medal in that competition.
Kamaka Hepa's Career stats for the last 4 seasons in the NBA:
Year | Team | GP | PPG | APG | MPG | SPG | 3P% | RPG | FG% | FT% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019–20 | Texas | 22 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 13.5 | 0.2 | .292 | 2.0 | 0.361 | 0.667 |
2020–21 | Texas | 9 | 2.9 | 0.1 | 6.4 | 0.1 | .500 | 1.0 | 0.500 | 0.000 |
2021–22 | Hawaii | 27 | 9.4 | 1.4 | 28.1 | 0.4 | .396 | 5.0 | 0.440 | 0.804 |
2022–23 | Hawaii | 33 | 11.5 | 1.5 | 32.6 | 0.5 | .387 | 6.6 | 0.424 | 0.842 |
Career | 118 | 6.6 | 0.9 | 20.9 | 0.3 | .374 | 3.8 | 0.413 | 0.808 |
5. Jarod Lucas
Jarod Lucas is a young Filipino American basketballer who was born on December 7, 1999. Lucas is currently playing for the Nevada Wolf Pack in the Hill West Seminar.
His daddy, Jeff, played college basketball in Hawaii and now trains at Los Altos Senior High School. Meanwhile, his mom, Christina, was a senior high school volleyball gamer. Jarod's younger sibling, Jordan, excels in basketball and has stood for the USA at the youth level. Jarod Lucas is of Filipino descent on his mother's side.
Jarod Lucas's Career stats for the last 4 seasons in the NBA:
Year | Team | GP | PPG | APG | MPG | SPG | 3P% | RPG | FG% | FT% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019–20 | Oregon State | 31 | 4.6 | 0.4 | 13.1 | 0.3 | 0.342 | 0.9 | 0.351 | 0.870 |
2020–21 | Oregon State | 33 | 12.7 | 1.2 | 29.3 | 0.7 | 0.389 | 2.3 | 0.380 | 0.896 |
2021–22 | Oregon State | 31 | 13.5 | 1.2 | 33.7 | 0.8 | 0.386 | 2.4 | 0.415 | 0.871 |
2022–23 | Nevada | 33 | 17.0 | 1.4 | 34.4 | 0.4 | 0.378 | 2.4 | 0.413 | 0.863 |
Career | 128 | 12.0 | 1.0 | 27.8 | 0.5 | 0.379 | 2.0 | 0.399 | 0.874 |
Jarod Lucas's Career Achievements:
- Mountain West Newcomer of the Year (2023)
- Second-team All-Mountain West (2023)
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