IS Onyeka Okongwu being considered for Gilas Pilipinas?
That looked like the case after the Atlanta Hawks big man's name was listed on the 60-player pool that was initially submitted by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, a copy of which was furnished to the media.
See Calvin Abueva turns emotional when told of Gilas roster revamp
Okongwu is one of the players listed “for naturalization” along with TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who is now playing internationally for Jordan.
Jordan Clarkson, Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, and even Andray Blatche were part of the initial list.
The 60-player list was apparently superseded by a new 37-man pool that was also submitted to the organizing committee and was supposed to be the basis of Gilas Pilipinas to determine the 12-man pool.
It is still unclear whether the SBP will pursue a naturalization process for the 22-year-old Okongwu.
Drafted sixth overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-9 Okongwu averaged 9.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 13 blocks per game during his third season with the Hawks.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
