Greg Slaughter's Signing with a FIBA-Certified Basketball Agency: Its Impact to Philippine Basketball

We all know that a healthy Greg Slaughter is and will always be a force to be reckoned with not just in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) but in the international stage. And while he decided to take a break from the PBA as he didn't sign an extension with the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings at the end of the PBA's 44th season, Greg Slaughter, now 32 years old, still has a few good years left in his tank and the good news is: GregZilla is still eyeing to be a part of the Gilas Pilipinas team that will play once the country co-hosts the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup in 2023. 

His impending return to the national team will be made better by his recent decision as Greg Slaughter announced yesterday that yes, he has signed a deal with Misko Raznatovic- the owner of the BeoBasket which happens to be the biggest basketball agency worldwide with Raznatovic being recognized as the most influential basketball manager in the game. And while this decision doesn't automatically mean that Greg Slaughter will play professional basketball in Europe, this move by the six-foot-11 gentle giant makes him the first Filipino player to join a roster of clients that involves several National Basketball Association (NBA) players such as Ivica Zubac, Nikola Pekovic, Nikola Jokic, Boban Marjanovic, Cedi Osman, and yes, Deron Williams. Not only will Slaughter going to be represented by an agency that represented several players not just in the NBA but also in the leagues in Europe, Slaughter will be represented by an agent that is certified by FIBA which means Raznatovic's reputation is already proven.

Now, what will be the impact of Slaughter's newest deal for Philippine basketball?

For starters, this decision by Slaughter will open more doors to players in the country who would want to bring their talent overseas like what the likes of Thirdy Ravena and Jack Animan are set to do in Japan and Taiwan respectively. Slaughter's move will allow more basketball agents in Europe to know more about Philippine basketball and how crazy are we as fans in terms of our undying love for basketball. But more than the exposure for the Filipino players,  Greg Slaughter's signing with Raznatovic will be a big boost for the giant's career not just in terms of having a widely-recognized agent who will represent him in negotiations but, if he does play in Europe or even in the NBA G-League, that will allow Slaughter's game to evolve furthermore as he enters the final stretch of his playing career which in effect, will be a good boost for Gilas Pilipinas come 2023. 

At the end of the day, Slaughter's decision to hire a European agent's impact for Philippine basketball is that more opportunities will open for Filipino players in general as one of the primary responsibilities of a player agent is to scout for new talents and while Slaughter may be the first Filipino to be represented by BeoBasket, we can almost be certain that he won't be the last. 

Photo is from Rappler