The Continuous Growth of Gilas Prospect Remy Martin and His Future with Gilas

Remember when Gilas Pilipinas was still in the process of forming its final line-up for the FIBA World Cup last year?

There were many prospects who were considered to be included in the line-up of then Gilas Head Coach Yeng Guiao and among those prospects whose name was making noise was Filipino-American college star, Remy Martin.

However, things weren't meant to be as Martin was mired with questions surrounding his eligibility to join the National Team which made the SBP decide not to include Martin to the World Cup line-up.

The SBP said that they were constrained by an existing FIBA rule that if a player wants to play as a local for his country, he must be able to acquire a local passport before the age of 16. Clearly, it was too late for Martin to play as a local for the Philippines. 

That was last year.  

For Martin's part, he admitted that he was hurt by SBP's decision not to include him in the line-up last year but then 20-year old Martin reassured that he will always represent the country- perhaps as a naturalized player.

Right now, he's doing extremely well in the US NCAA where is playing for the Arizona State Sun Devils. In 27 games thus far in the 2019-2020 season, Martin is averaging 19 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds and, is shooting 44% from the field. And by the way, the Sun Devils are riding on a 7-game winning streak and is leading the Pac-12 Conference with a 10-4 record and 19-8 record overall.  And yes, Martin is leading his team in points, assists, and steals. 

Martin also has the record of six straight 20-point games to open the conference- the first player to do so in 23 years. More importantly, Remy Martin is on track to nab the Pac 12 Conference Player of the Year award and that's big not just for Martin but for the Philippines as well because if Martin goes on to continue win awards, he might just make it to the NBA eventually. Imagine him and Jordan Clarkson being the Filipino-American players in the NBA. 

Or, if things work out for 2023, Remy Martin could even be our naturalized player in time for the 2023 FIBA World Cup here in our own backyard. After all, it's what Remy Martin wants to do. And after all, he's included in Chot Reyes' "23 for 23" list of players who can play for the country for the biggest basketball tournament of all in three years' time. 

Photo is from ABS CBN News