MALICK Diouf has emerged as a surprise name among three foreign talents on track for Philippine naturalization, joining future Gilas Pilipinas prospects Bennie Boatwright and Elizabeth Means on the shortlist.
The key difference for the 6-foot-10 Senegalese big? He’s being groomed specifically to bolster Philippines’ 3x3 program - at least for now.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) started keeping close tabs on Diouf when he suited up for the Mandaluyong SBP crew at the Manila Challenger in September and the Kaohsiung City Challenger in October, both under the 2025 FIBA 3x3 Men’s Pro Circuit.
Diouf averaged 5.33 points and 7.67 rebounds in Manila, then followed it up with six points per game in two outings in Kaohsiung.
Unbeknownst to him, those stints had already become an informal audition, as the federation assessed whether to pursue his naturalization.
“I was just talking to the SBP people, and they were inviting me to join the 3x3,” Diouf said.
“I was playing with them last month in the Manila Challenger. They just let me know about the naturalization, and I completely did that because I've been here for six years right now.”
Pilipinas through and through for Diouf
For Diouf, saying yes to SBP’s initial pitch was easy.
After spending six years in the country, from his UAAP MVP days at the University of the Philippines to his stint with the Zamboanga Valientes, taking the next step toward becoming a full-fledged Filipino felt natural.
Even the hours spent attending sessions at the Philippine Congress don’t faze him, not with a chance to eventually represent Gilas on the world stage on offer.
“It's a big honor, like a very, very big honor to represent the country,” he said.
“From playing for the University of the Philippines, and now the country wants me to represent them also, so that's a big opportunity and a big honor for me.”
While the immediate goal is to reinforce Gilas’ 3x3 squad, Diouf isn’t closing the door on joining the 5-on-5 pool someday.
“I'm open for everything. If I'm already a naturalized player, I'm open to everything. But for now, I'm just for the 3x3,” he said.
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