Malick Diouf is in the process of being a naturalized Filipino to play for Gilas Pilipinas 3x3, but the former UP Fighting Maroon is open for 5x5 action if called upon.
Aside from Bennie Boatwright and Elizabeth Means, Malick Diouf is also being eyed as naturalized player by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
However, the former UP Fighting Maroon is primarily targeted to reinforced Gilas Pilipinas in 3x3 action, not for the main senior team where the naturalized pool currently include Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, and Jordan Clarkson.
Asked if he would be open to help the 5x5 team when called, the one-time UAAP champion didn’t hesitate and responded in the affirmative.
“Yeah, I’m open for everything [once] I’m already a naturalized player. I’m open for everything but for now I’m just for the 3x3,” he told UAAP reporters over the weekend.
[RELATED STORY: Bennie Boatwright, Malick Diouf, Elizabeth Means take first steps in naturalization bids]
At the moment, Brownlee is the main man for Gilas Pilipinas, with Kouame serving as the closest back up as Clarkson is in the NBA with the New York Knicks.
Boatwright, who appeared in a hearing in Congress to reset his naturalization process along with Diouf and Means, will also play behind the beloved Brownlee once his change in citizenship pushes through.
Among the three, Diouf was the surprise naturalization candidate.
Living in the Philippines for six years now, Diouf bared he was approached by SBP representatives and gave him the opportunity to represent the country.
The resounding yes was a no-brainer for Diouf, who played for Mandaluyong SBP at the Manila Challenger and Kaoshsiung City Challenger this year in 3x3 action.
[ALSO READ: Gilas: Bennie Boatwright to attend hearing on naturalization]
“I was just talking to the SBP people and they were inviting me to join the 3x3. I think I was playing with them in the Manila challenger so they let me know about the naturalization,” he said.
Diouf sees this as a “very, very big honor.”
“It’s a big honor. Very, very big honor to represent the country. Playing for the University of the Philippines and the country that want me to represent them also, that’s a big opportunity and big honor for me,” he said.
(With reports from Xander Cipriano)
—
Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.