ADD Fil-Am forward Caelum Harris to the young guns the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and Gilas coach Chot Reyes hope to develop for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The SBP said the 6-foot-7 Harris is set to arrive in the country next month to join the national team program.
“Caelum Harris, a 6’7” 16-year-old Filipino American from Nashville, Tennessee, will be joining the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Gilas Pilipinas national team program effective immediately,” the SBP said in its website yesterday.
“Caelum will join the national team in early March and prepare for multiple tournaments Gilas will be joining in the run-up to the 2023 FIBA World Cup which will be co-hosted in the Philippines.”
The SBP also described Harris as “energetic, versatile and athletic.”
“Coach Chot appreciates the high energy Caelum brings to his game, versatility, and athletic ability,” the SBP said.
“Caelum is expected to be a mainstay of (the) SBP’s long-term program as he develops into one of the pillars of the national team even beyond the 2023 World Cup.”
The high-flying Harris, 16, obtained his Philippine passport at age 16 and studied at Stewarts Creek High School in Smyrna, Tennessee.
Harris traces his Filipino roots from Marigondon in Lapu-Lapu, Cebu where he has gone to and has spent time with his family during his sojourns there.
“Caelum and his family are from Marigondon, Cebu. His grandmother lives with them and keeps them very much aware of their Filipino culture, heritage, and tradition. Caelum has enjoyed summer visits to Cebu to spend family time with his large family there,” the SBP said.
“He is very much looking forward to making his family and the rest of the country proud as he contributes to the Philippine national team.”
SBP president Al Panlilio said the federation is keen on its preparations for the world cage spectacle the country is co-hosting with Japan and Indonesia next year.
“We’re very seriously building for the future and having Caelum is just the first step in this direction,” Panlilio said.
