CHICAGO - "A slim chance is better than no chance."
That's how former La Salle star Kevin Quiambao described via Instagram his attempt to fly to the US in the hope of landing a roster spot in the NBA Summer League this July in Las Vegas.
He's right.
Per an NCAA study, less than one percent of hopefuls - or .0000007317 - make it to the NBA.
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That doesn't mean KQ won't thread the needle; it just shows how tiny the window is.
Here's a deep dive.
The good news is that he clearly has the credentials, a winning college career burnished by a triumphant rookie season in Korea with the Sono Skygunners where he averaged 16.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 23 games.
QUALITY OF COMPETITION,
But here's the thing, the KBL, unlike the NBL of Australia, is not exactly a breeding ground for NBA prospects. To date, only one player in the history of the KBL has played in the NBA.
His name is Ha Seung-Jin, who was drafted 46th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2004 when giants who played with their backs behind the basket were a thing. Jin was like a double-decker bus - 7-foot-3 and 305 lbs.
In contrast, the NBL has shipped 13 players to the NBA, including LaMelo Ball and Josh Giddey.
Given where he's playing right now and the quality of competition there compared to the NBL and the Euro League, KQ faces two challenges right off the bat.
Visibility and recognition.
At 6-foot-4, Quiambao is three inches shorter than the NBA's average height. And at 205 lbs, his meat is a little closer to the bone.
To get a roster invite, he will need to impress team executives and scouts with his 3-point shooting, ball-handling and conditioning.
3 AND D.
His ability to play lockdown defense, with emphasis on how well he attaches himself to the hips of the man he's guarding, will be huge because teams always make room for defensive stoppers.
The fact that Sono president Lee Kwangsoo and a few of La Salle's major boosters are behind KQ's NBA dream is fantastic. But KQ could really use an ally in his corner.
East-West Private, the management firm that helped Kiefer Ravena, Bobby Parks and Kai Sotto with their respective NBA journeys, is a great NBA connector that prioritizes players' dreams over income.
If KQ indeed gets the nod, he will be signed to a "summer contract" which applies to players "who don't have a standard Exhibit 10 or two-way contract with the team they represent in the tournament."
Summer league players don't get a salary, but they do get per diems of up to $1500 for the entire tournament. Their lodging, transport and two meals a day, a total package worth $6,500 a player as provided for in the league's CBA, is also paid for.
It's gonna be tough, Kevin. But give it your best shot. An entire nation is rooting for you. And as rapper 50 Cent once said.
Get rich or die tryin.'
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