Andray Blatche, now Filipino, heads to the Philippines

Brooklyn Nets center and recently naturalized Filipino citizen Andray Blatche made his first trip of the summer to the Philippines, the country where he has signed a sworn affidavit to mingle with citizens and embrace Filipino customs.

A bill granting naturalized citizenship to Blatche passed three readings in the Filipino Senate, and is awaiting a signature from the country’s president. If the president does not sign the bill within 30 days, it automatically becomes law; i.e. inaction does not prevent Blatche’s citizenship. He has also waived his right to play for any other national team, including the United States.

Blatche is slated to play for the Filipino national team, who will practice in Miami, Blatche’s home city during the offseason. He is expected to play in the FIBA Asia Cup from July 11-19, then the FIBA World Cup in August and potentially the Asian Games in September, which would potentially interfere with an NBA training camp.

In two seasons and 155 games with the Brooklyn Nets, Blatche has averaged 10.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per game, including career-highs in points per minute and player efficiency rating in each of the last two seasons. He is an unrestricted free agent. Here’s more info on what the Nets can offer Blatche in free agency.

Blatche is not genetically Filipino.