Rising Houston Rockets star Jalen Green, whose mother and grandfather are from the Philippines, is reportedly expanding his international hoops profile with an investment in the East Asia Super League (EASL).
Per veteran NBA scribe Marc Stein, Green is joining the East Asia Super League — featuring teams from greater China, Japan, Korea and the Philippines — as an ambassador and investor. Retired NBA players Baron Davis, Metta Sandiford-Artest, and Shane Battier hold similar roles.
According to Stein, EASL is scheduled to unveil a new format in October. It will represent Asia’s first interleague competition sanctioned by FIBA, basketball’s world governing body.
“I just want to put the Asian basketball community on the map,” said Green, who expressed hope to Stein that he could become “an inspiration for the next generation of hoopers in Asia.”
“Especially in the Philippines, because I have background there,” he said. Terms of the investment were not disclosed.
Green, the No. 2 draft pick from the 2021 first round, was recently named to the NBA’s 2021-22 All-Rookie First Team after a very successful (and at times historic) rookie season with the Rockets.
Rockets guard @JalenGreen tells me he is taking on a new ambassadorial role with the fledgling @EASLofficial league in Asia, forging an even deeper connection to his Filipino heritage. Full story: https://t.co/B6564hwiwx
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 1, 2022
