Ange Kouame is open to the idea of playing basketball overseas, believing that it would help him grow and broaden his knowledge of the game even more.
As a matter of fact, offers have actually come his way as early as last year.
“I have a lot of offers, especially after my Ateneo time,” the newly-naturalized Filipino told 2OT x Crossover, presented by SMART Sports Thursday evening.
According to the Cote d’Ivoire-born cager, those who have reached out to him for his services have come from Asia and Europe.
And there are also some from the NBA G-League, he added.
“I have a lot of offers now, especially Asia and in Europe. A couple of people have asked me to play in the G-League.”
It should not come as a surprise anymore that the 6-foot-10 slotman has been drawing the interests of scouts from various parts of the world.
He is the first-ever foreign student-athlete to win UAAP Rookie of the Year; and has been an integral part of Ateneo’s reign in the last two seasons.
Now, the 23-year-old is expected to bolster the youth-laden Gilas Pilipinas after being granted Filipino citizenship last Monday.
And surely, he’ll attract more teams from abroad when he plays for the Nationals in two important meets next month.
Kouame will likely make his debut in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers’ third window; and in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Still, everything depends on what happens in the next years.
Aside from Gilas, Kouame will also fulfill his duties with the Blue Eagles. He is still eligible to play for three more seasons.
“I think I’m gonna go overseas, but of course it will depend on how it’s gonna be and what my role would be in the team. But it’s all about my growth, and me learning more about the game, studying, and getting better.
“But you know, we’ll see what’s coming and what happens in the coming two years,” the soft-spoken cager offered.
Also, Kouame isn’t closing his doors in playing here in the PBA, similar to what naturalized Korean Ricardo Ratliffe is doing in the KBL.
“That can be a consideration for me.”
