Miami Heat Filipino-American coach Erik Spoelstra during a basketball clinic conducted by USA Basketball. –ARNEL TACSON/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Miami Heat Filipino-American coach Erik Spoelstra headlined a basketball clinic hosted by USA Basketball at Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig, on Wednesday before the much-anticipated Fiba World Cup tournament here.
Spoelstra led a number of young aspiring Filipino hoopers through drills, workouts and leadership development programming.
“Through this beautiful game of basketball, I’ve been able to travel the world and come out here several times,” Spoelstra, an assistant coach for Team USA, said.
“I feel very grateful to be able to work in this profession of basketball and carve out a life because of it.”
Spoelstra, however, was not the only notable name from USA Basketball who showed up at the event.
Fellow Team USA mentors Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors and Ty Lue of the Los Angeles Clippers also helped the basketball aspirants with several drills.
The young athletes were yet to be more surprised later in the event when players of the 2023 USA Basketball Men’s National Team showed up for a brief moment.
NBA players Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets, Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers popped up for a few minutes to peak at the event, much to the delight of the basketball-crazed kids.
Team USA will begin its bid for the World Cup on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena when it faces New Zealand for the 8:40 pm game.