The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) confirmed that Bennie Boatwright is being eyed to serve as naturalized player of Gilas Pilipinas in major international competitions.
In a series of messages to Daily Tribune on Sunday morning, SBP executive director Erika Dy admitted that they have already identified the 27-year-old former San Miguel Beer import to be part of Gilas Pilipinas’ pool of naturalized players.
So far, Justin Brownlee is serving as the main reinforcement while Ange Kouame and Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson are also part of the pool.
But there is a strong clamor for the federation to assemble a pool of naturalized players so that Gilas Pilipinas will have the luxury of fielding a strong lineup, especially in tourneys like the Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Games where the host nation decides on the eligibility of players in men’s basketball event.
Aside from that, Brownlee is also no longer getting any younger as he will be pushing 40 by the time the next FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar rolls in 2027.
Dy said Boatwright had already agreed and is already in the process of gathering all documents necessary to kick off the naturalization process.
“Boatwright has been identified to serve as naturalized player of Gilas Pilipinas” said Dy, who is in Singapore to rally behind the Gilas 3×3 squads in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup Qualifiers.
“The gathering of papers had started a long time ago.”
Boatwright is a perfect fit for Gilas Pilipinas.
Aside from his familiarity with the Filipino brand of play after playing with Gilas stalwarts June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter with the Beermen in the Commissioner’s Cup last year, he is also regarded as a dynamic all-around scorer who is not afraid to take charge when the game is on the line.
In fact, he erupted for 51 points in their 132-110 win over Terrafirma before beating powerhouse Magnolia to lead the Beermen to the title with averages of 40.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game.
More than that, the former University of Southern California star is a consummate professional who would not mind to play whatever role that Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone will give him.
Dy said they are looking at completing his naturalization process until the end of the year, making him available in some key tournaments like the FIBA Asia Cup and the SEA Games next year and the Asian Games in 2026.
“It’s always hard to tell how long it will take, but we would be really happy if it will be done within the year,” said Dy, admitting that they will bring Boatwright’s application for naturalization to the Congress as soon as it resumes its session.
“Yes, as soon as pwede na. Right now, they are still on break.”
