Young Seymour to play for Philippines?
Brooklyn Nets forward/center Andray Blatche dunks against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half of an NBA game at Barclays Center. (December 16, 2013) Photo Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Andray Blatche is indeed considering playing for the Philippines National Team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain this summer.
At least that’s what he says.
This, even though he was born in Syracuse. And has never ever set foot in the Philippines.
Still, he basically confirmed he's agreed to play for the Philippines, possibly tag-teaming with former Wizards teammate JaVale McGee. Both would have to be natutralized -- a legal process in which non-citizens can acquire citizenship -- in order for it to happen.
So just where did this whole idea come from? Only way to further understand is to let Blatche tell it himself. Again, that’s the only way.
“Honestly, it came out of leftfield,” Blatche said after practice Thursday in between yucks. “After one of our games, my best friend, he told me, he said, ‘Such and such, and such and such said this and that. Are you interested?’ I said, ‘Yeah. I’ll go.’
“‘He said, ‘We’ll, it’s like during the summer.’
“I said, ‘Yeah, well, that’ll help me get ready for training camp and the season.’ ”
Blatche, who also that he wants to be called Young Seymour (as in they want to see more of me), joked several times about being of Filipino decent. He even mentioned that he was half-Filipino.
When that was relayed to Joe Johnson, and asked if he knew that to be true, Johnson said: “Nah, but I knew that he’s full of ----.”
