BY KRISTIAN WINFIELD
Andray Blatche may not be an All-Star, nor has he been invited to Team USA’s national men’s basketball pool, but that won’t stop him from playing in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Gilas Pilipinas, the national men’s basketball team of the Philippines, has taken the steps to naturalize both the Nets big man and Denver’s seven-footer, JaVale McGee. House Bills 3783 and 3784 will give both Blatche and McGee Philippine citizenship and allow them to be included into the country’s national men’s basketball pool.
It is still unconfirmed whether or not Blatche is actually Filipino.
When asked if he was aware that his teammate was of Philippine descent, Joe Johnson said, “No, but he’s full of s—.”
According to Rod Boone, Blatche also has a new nickname:
.@drayblatche said he wants everyone to know his new name from now on is Young Seymour. As in, "They want to see more of me." What a guy.
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) January 30, 2014
Young Seymour is averaging 13.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 21.2 minutes per game in the month of January, helping lead the Nets to a 10-2 record in the new year.
