Kings center, WNBA great headed to Manila for Jr. NBA Philippines

FILE – Sheryl Swoopes reacts during the 2016 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on September 9, 2016 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Jim Rogash/Getty Images/AFP

Sacramento Kings’ Willie Cauley-Stein and WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes are headed to Manila for the final stretch of the 2018 JR. NBA Philippines this month.

During the training camp from May 18-20, Cauley-Stein and Swoopes will help identify the young stars who will be part of the 2018 Jr. NBA Philippines All-Star selection. They will also coach the Jr. NBA Alumni All-Star Game.

Eight boys and eight girls will travel to Shanghai for a live NBA game between Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks.

Cauley-Stein, the third-year center for the Kings, is looking forward to witnessing the Filipinos’ passion for the sport in person.

“I’m eager to work with these dedicated young players who have earned the right to be chosen as Jr. NBA All-Stars,” said Cauley-Stein in a statement. “I’m excited to share my basketball knowledge and help the kids become the best version of themselves on and off the court.”

Willie Cauley-Stein of the Sacramento Kings dribbles against Los Angeles’ Larry Nance during the first half of a game at Staples Center on January 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images/AFP

Swoopes, a four-time WNBA champion, meanwhile, is raring to share her knowledge with the kids, especially the young girls, who want basketball as a career.

“Through the Jr. NBA program, I look 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.”

The National Training Camp finalists were selected from Regional Selection Camps in Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan and Metro Manila, and from the Alaska Power Camps in Manila and Subic. Celest Flores-Colina