MICHIGAN - A global powerhouse sports marketing and talent management company is betting big that a Filipino prince will one day be a king.
Recognizing that Prince Carino is the next gem to emerge from talent-rich Philippines, Wasserman Group, with the Espiritu Manotoc Basketball Management (EMBM) as the local partner, has signed the current FEU Baby Tamaraw to a rep agreement deal.
"Prince has been on the radar as one of the top young talents from the international stage and we want to develop and prepare him to play at the highest level," Tony Ronzone, an executive at Wasserman where Kai Sotto blossomed as an international star, told me on Sunday.
With the aim of expediting his development, Carino’s journey will begin as soon as this coming summer when he will be brought to the US to compete with "stronger, bigger and more athletic competition" at Nike's Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) and other premier AAU tournaments in the US.
THE ROAD AHEAD.
Carino's pathway could take him to a top prep school, and then possibly, the US NCAA for collegiate exposure. And from there, the possibilities are endless.
Former Gilas Pilipinas Youth coach Josh Reyes, who had Carino in his pool since the now 16-year old young man was only 14, has no doubt that the 6-foot-7 forward will flourish beyond the Philippines' borders.
"He is an all-around talent, with a strength, physical grit, and maturity beyond his years," said Reyes. "He is easy to coach, wears a wonderful attitude and has solid character."
And while Reyes acknowledged that "nothing is ever certain," he is banking that Carino's support group, with his parents at the forefront, will carry him through the peaks and valleys of the momentous task ahead of him.
GREAT SKILLS, EVEN GREATER CHARACTER.
"He was not only raised well, he was also taught about hard work and commitment and fulfilling obligations," Reyes offered, adding that "their family will only see this as an "opportunity" and not a "reward" that can be quickly monetized.
Indeed, nothing is promised, not in a competitive world of basketball where borders have ceased to exist. But one thing is clear: This Prince has royal tools..
Carino is athletic, can punish defenders inside and torment them on the perimeter. Already reliable, his 3-point shot, which has smooth, rhythmic stroke, can be developed into a dangerous weapon.
In his four-game FIBA stint at the 2025 Asia Cup, Carino averaged 11 points and 6.8 rebounds per.
With the army of NBA-caliber coaches, trainers, nutritionists, plus strength and conditioning experts that Wassermen can throw at him, Carino has so much room for growth in his future.
Tapped as the next hoops star is an honor and an obligation in a country where the passion for basketball is exceeded only by the fans' lofty expectations.
But with the full might of Wasserman behind him, Prince Carino is lucky he wears the crown.
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