Remy Martin on Gilas: ‘It will happen but not as soon as I would like’

Remy Martin is currently in the midst of a dream run with Kansas.

As the top seed in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Division I tournament, the 6-foot Filipino-American guard showed why the Jayhawks recruited him. He averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists to lead them to the Final Four.

And as he heads to the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, the 23-year-old guard feels excited.

Photo by KU Athletics

“I’m extremely excited.

“I mean playing in the Final Four, not many teams can do that,” Martin said in a press conference organized by Fil-Am Nation Select. “Being just able to experience this whole thing and getting to do this with my brothers, being part of Kansas, I’m very excited. It’s going to be a good game and the arena sits around 70,000 people, that’s the most I’ve played around. I like the crowd, I like the energy.”

Winning the national championship will change the trajectory of Martin’s career.

Just last year, Martin pulled out of the NBA Draft since he was not in mock drafts. But that does not mean that he is giving up on his dream.

Photo by KU Athletics

“I think I’m very confident with myself. And whatever happens and we end up winning it all, I think I have a better chance,” said the two-time All-Pac-12 first team member.

The more they win, the better it is.

“But I think once I get into my workouts and do the things necessary, I should be fine. Whatever happens, I’ll give it my all and see what happens,” he continued.

His biggest dream, though, is to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas.

Martin is part of Chot Reyes’ 23 for 2023 Gilas cadets. However, even Martin admitted that his time on the national team may not come now.

This as according to former Gilas program director Tab Baldwin, Martin was unable to acquire his passport before turning 16.

Still, he hopes to suit up or even play in the Philippines one day.

“That’s my goal and one of my dreams, to be able to go out there and play. And I can’t wait,” he expressed a day before Kansas faces Villanova in the Final Four. “I still have to go through the process out here and make sure I give myself the best chance. But that’s my dream, to represent the Philippines and play.

“I know one day it will happen but not as soon as I would like. It will happen and can’t wait to meet the people out there and get to enjoy it.”