JJ Mandaquit has accepted an invitation to join Team USA’s training camp in preparation for the 2023 FIBA U16 Americas Championship.
The camp will take place from May 25 to 30 in Colorado Springs, Colorado while the tournament will be from June 5 to 11 in Merida, Mexico.
Mandaquit, a 6-foot-1 guard who currently is based in Utah, played for Fil-Nation Select in the 2023 SMART-NBTC National Finals.
He was the revelation of the tournament, putting up numbers of 16.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 3.8 steals in five games played.
Mandaquit, who traces his roots to Cebu, has offers to play for Division I programs Hawaii, Portland, Stanford, and Washington State.
According to Fil-Am Nation Select, Mandaquit, who got his Philippine passport before he turned 16, can still be eligible for Gilas as long as he does not suit up for the USA in the Under-18 or Seniors teams.
Fil-Am Sports’ Kamaka Hepa and Jalen Green played for Team USA during the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Championship and the 2017 FIBA U16 Americas Championship, respectively.
A total of 39 prospects were called up to the camp.
