It seems that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has streamlined the Gilas Youth program with the men’s.
Previously “separate” pillars of the federation, Gilas Youth is now aligned with Gilas Men in its buildup for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
And in charge of the program is Chot Reyes.
“We are developing a program for the Under-16, Under-18, Men’s, and Cadets,” Reyes told Play It Right TV.
“It’s a long-term program that we are building.”
That is why the program is already bringing Caelum Harris to the country this month.
Harris, 16, is a 6-foot-7 Filipino-American winger who plays for Stewarts Creek High School in Tennessee.
On deck for Gilas Youth is the 2021 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship which takes place from June 12-19 in Kuwait City and the Under-18 Asian Championship from August 21-28 in Tehran, Iran.
Along with 18-year-old Lebron Lopez, Reyes sees the two as the cornerstones of Gilas Youth.
“We are bringing Caelum in to jumpstart the under-18 program. We are looking at him and Lebron Lopez to be the mainstays of that program.”
But with regards to them joining Gilas Men, Reyes is pretty much open to it, saying that he wants a huge pool that will be available for the two remaining windows of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers this year, the Southeast Asian Games, and the Asian Games.
“Whether he will play in all of the events leading to 2023, that remains to be seen, foremost their schedules and their availability because they have other commitments,” Reyes said. “We want them to get into the scheme of things very quickly, to train them together with the men’s team as much as possible. Hopefully, they can play. If they can make it, maybe they can play in the Southeast Asian Games or in the other windows.
“But as for being able to play in the World Cup, that remains to be seen. There are no locks for 2023. We are looking at him and Lebron to lead the youth team.”
Both Lopez and Harris are under East West Private.
It is still unknown whether Sandy Arespacochaga will still be the head coach of Gilas Youth.
