Photo by Randolph B. Leongson/INQUIRER.net
Throughout his young career, Willie Cauley-Stein has had the privilege to play in front of rowdy fans in Kentucky and Sacramento.
But being in Manila for the first time, the 24-year-old center is just pumped to soak in the Filipino fans’ passion for the game.
“I heard that the fan base out here is ridiculous, so I’m excited to see that especially coming from Kentucky and the Kings. They’re notorious for their fans so I’m excited to see how how crazy the fans here are,” he said on Tuesday.
Cauley-Stein and WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes will be on hand for the 2018 Jr. NBA Philippines as they will help in coaching the finalists for this year’s National Training Camp.
They will have a first-hand look at the top 75 boys and girls aged 10-14 in this year’s camp at Don Bosco Technical Institute on Saturday before the culmination at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on Sunday to name the 16 Jr. NBA Philippines All-Stars which will travel to Shanghai, China in October to watch the NBA China Games 2018 between the Philadephia 76ers and the Dallas Mavericks.
Cauley-Stein is just happy to be part of the grassroots development program as it gives him a chance to share his experience to the younger generation.
“I think the Jr. NBA just puts on such a good experience for these kids. Like the way they run things is so well and a kid cannot have a bad experience here,” he said.
“The learning aspect, the respect, all that is good to me because it’s bigger than hoops. You don’t just use those things for hoops, but you can also use them for everyday life. Them teaching those things here is good to instill to these young kids.”