LAPU-LAPU CITY – Brian Goorjian isn’t good at remembering names but there was a certain Kevin that he was so impressed about during his stint with Strong Group Athletics.
That Kevin, of course, is Kevin Quiambao, the reigning UAAP MVP who is starting to make his mark in Philippine basketball with his stint with La Salle, the aforementioned Strong Group, and Gilas Pilipinas.
“I’m horrible with last names but Kevin, I call him Kevin who was playing with us. I was amazed by what he has and what his future is, it’s really, really exciting” said Goorjian in an interview with Filipino reporters on Saturday in Cebu for the EASL.
Goorjian was able to work with Quiambao closely after serving as a consultant for Strong Group Athletics in the Dubai International Championship where the team was led by former NBA player Dwight Howard.
Quiambao impresses Goorjian
The concurrent Australia national team coach said he was impressed with his skills that are usually not associated with guards and not with 6-foot-7 players.
“His length, his ability to pass the ball really surprised me. He is a great passer. And the other aspect that has gone to another level is how he shot the ball. He shot the three almost in the 70 percent. He was taking five threes a game. It wasn’t just one or two. He really shot it. So the evolution of him is getting better with the ball.”
Goorjian said there is still some work to do to polish Quiambao’s game, but the sky is the limit for the La Salle standout.
Goorjian says Quiambao needs to get better defensively
“He’s got to be able to create on his own and he needs to get better defensively. But it’s all part of growth and development. He is 22 and he is in college. But his future is endless. He can be anything,” said Goorjian.
Goorjian added it was also beneficial that Quiambao was exposed to the likes of Howard and his fellow former NBA players and their desire to be the best player that they can be.
The former Bay Area Dragons coach recalled one conversation where Howard challenged Quiambao to become the best basketball player the Philippines has produced.
“You know how Dwight Howard was, pulling him to the side and saying, ‘You want to be the best Filipino player ever.’ I know that’s a big call and a big statement but we tried to set goals for him and get his mind around, come out of this, you can be great, you want to be a star.
“I thought Dwight Howard, Andrey Blatche, Andre Roberson, all of those guys were great with him and talking to him. And Strong Group did a great job with those kids, not only in the practice sessions and the game, but those NBA guys did a really good job of influencing them on how to get better. I thought it was a tremendous environment,” said Goorjian.
Goorjian said Quiambao’s exposure to the Gilas Pilipinas environment where he has been a part of the team for four years would only make him improve.
“That’s what it is all about. We are doing the same thing with our team. We are constantly, with the Boomers, it works in four-year cycles. So you’ve got to keep turning over in producing players, and the college system and the PBA. It’s phenomenal,” said Goorjian.
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