YOUTH, athleticism, and the right attiude make Greg Smith an ideal candidate to be the a naturalized player for Gilas Pilipinas.
Chot Reyes, the national team coach, said it's imperative to have a back-up to Andray Blatche especially under the new home-and-away format of Fiba's qualifiers for the World Cup.
Reyes is obviously smitten with how the 6-foot-11 Smith has conducted himself as Blackwater import, and during the time he joined the national team in its practice.
"First of all, he's the perfect age at 26 years old and he's got a lot of basketball left in him," said Reyes of the plan to tap Smith as the national team's next naturalized player shortly after Gilas' Thursday practice at Treston gym in Bonifacio Global City.
"Secondly, yung skills set nya. He's strong inside but he also has a good perimeter game," added the national coach.
"But more importantly, yung attitude niya. He's playing for a struggling team (Blackwater), but nakikita mo naman he still keeps his teammates involved. And I like that attitude in a player."
[See Greg Smith top candidate for naturalization after meeting with Gilas officials]