LOS ANGELES - In a country where basketball courts rise in street corners and passion overflows from every barangay, it’s easy to forget how much the game can truly change lives.
For many Filipino players — from Marc Pingris to Arwind Santos, Fran Yu to Rhenz Abando — basketball wasn’t just a sport, it was a way out, a way up, and a way to find purpose.
Even in the NBA, where the spotlight never dims, that same truth holds. Former All-Star and now NBA on Prime analyst John Wall knows this better than anyone.
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“Those Filipino kids playing, they make sure they get their education, you never know where basketball can take you,” Wall told SPIN,ph during the launch event of the collab's studio in Culver City, California.
Wall speaks from experience. After years of grinding on the court, he’s now entering a new chapter as an analyst — a role he never saw coming. He’s thankful he acted like a sponge, learning from every moment that led him to this.
The 35-year-old, who retired from basketball earlier this year, is already set to make his debut with Prime Video this October as Amazon begins its 11-year partnership with the NBA to stream select games in the Philippines.
“That’s the most important thing, above everything,” he said. “Kind of like a lot of us, there’s not much opportunity to go to college if not for scholarships. That’s why, you don’t just play, it’s really important to get smart. I hope they continue giving value to that to continue to grow.”
Having felt Manila’s basketball heartbeat up close, Wall thinks it a gold mine full of promise waiting to be tapped.
“It’s really dope how basketball grew in the Philippines,” he said. “I definitely want to get back there and see it for myself. Hopefully next summer, but I hope they can keep continue growing basketball.”
For kids chasing their own hoop dreams, Wall’s message is clear: keep building.
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