Isaiah Austin, a possible naturalized player for Gilas Pilipinas, arrived on Tuesday night, September 12 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pasay City after a 19-hour flight from San Diego, California and Tokyo, Japan.
I'm here. 🇵🇭
— Isaiah Austin (@IsaiahAustin) September 12, 2017
Ready to get to work. Thank you all the fans for the endless love and support that I've received already. ❤️💙
"I’m here. Ready to get to work," Austin posted on his Twitter account.
The former Baylor University standout will join forces with the other Philippine team basketball players in the upcoming FIBA Asia Championship Cup 2017 that will run from September 22-30 in Chenzou, China.
Philippines men's national basketball team head-coach Chot Reyes warmly welcomed the 7-foot-1 player and announced himself the possible naturalization of Austin.
Guess who's in the house? @IsaiahAustin #zeke pic.twitter.com/0P12v8U2zD
— Chot Reyes (@coachot) September 12, 2017
The 23-year-old last played with Chinese National Basketball League for the Guangxi Rhinos and was undrafted way back in the NBA Draft 2014 after being diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome, an inherited disorder that affects the body’s connective tissues.
Just in 2016 after being cleared of the illness by his doctors when he came back to play basketball with different teams in multiple countries, thus will start his first training game with his Gilas Pilipinas teammates on Wednesday in the evening, September 13 at the Meralco Gym.
SOURCE: [ABS-CBN News, Rappler]