Jasper Rentoy has grown accustomed to facing rejection.
However, despite the numerous setbacks, he persevered and has now made it to one of the top basketball leagues in the world, the National Basketball League-Australia (NBL-Australia).
“I’ve been told ‘no’ many times at every level of competition. Finally, I get the chance not only to represent Sydney but to do it at the highest possible level,” the 23-year-old Fil-Australian guard told Tiebreaker Times.
Back in 2019, Rentoy, who was only 18 at the time, dazzled for Homegrown Basketball Australia in the NBTC National Finals, earning him an athletic scholarship to the University of the East.
Rentoy, along with Fil-Kiwi Richie Rodger, were expected to be the new faces of the Red Warriors for UAAP Season 82. However, fate had other plans, and this didn’t come to fruition after the dismissal of Joe Silva.
Rentoy decided to return home to Australia shortly thereafter.
“As a father, I’ve witnessed his love for the game grow, but it hasn’t been an easy journey. Since he was a child, he has always talked about wanting to play professionally. I had faith in him and knew he had the potential to succeed,” recalled his father, Arvz.
During the pandemic, Rentoy, like everyone else, struggled to find games. Eventually, he joined the NBL1 team Eastern Mavericks.
Last season, Rentoy dazzled, averaging 12.3 points, 7.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, which drew the attention of a couple of NBL teams, Adelaide and Sydney.
Finally, things were starting to fall into place for him.
“I guess I had a really good year playing with the Mavs in NBL1, caught the attention of Adelaide. Unfortunately, they went in a different direction,” shared Rentoy.
“The Kings told me to come back to Sydney. They said they wanted me.”
A couple of weeks ago, he signed on to become the Kings’ development player.
Despite the signing, the 6-foot guard has no plans to rest on his laurels.
(c) NBL
“I still have the same goals because, as they say, being on top of one mountain is the bottom of another.
“I just want to prove every day that I’ll be the hardest worker in the room and prove my worth and learn in such a veteran’s league. I’m no stranger to working hard. I know we have a lot of veterans,” he said.
“I know I’ll become a better point guard, learning from Shaun Bruce and Jaylen Adams,” he added.
However, if he receives an invite from Gilas, he would immediately say yes to it.
“I wish I had the chance to play for Gilas at the junior level, but I’m still young. Hoping to get that opportunity,” said Rentoy, who obtained both his Philippine and Australian passports before the age of 16.
“I always carry the Philippines with me wherever I go.”
For his dad Arvz, their son’s accomplishment is not just for their family.
“Signing with the Sydney Kings is a significant honor, not only for our family but also for our Filipino community here.”
