Brooklyn Nets’ Andray Blatche has received his citizenship in the Philippines in order to play for them in the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Blatche was born and raised Syracuse and went to high school in Connecticut.
Blatche had received permission to play for the team after it becomes clear that he wasn't going to make the Team USA roster. Philippine Senator Sonny Angara spoke about Blatche’s citizenship.
“Andray Blatche has openly expressed his desire to play for the Philippines,” (Filipino Senator Sonny) Angara said. “He is in a position, at age 28, to make significant contributions to Philippine basketball and accordingly, eligible for the conferment of the honor of being a Philippine citizen.
“Blatche is possibly the best center from the NBA that we can get who is willing to shun more lucrative offers now and in the future just to be part of our national team.”
Barring an unexpected change, the bill to naturalize Andray Blatche as a Filipino citizen will reach the Philippines president today.
— devin kharpertian (@uuords) May 26, 2014
Andray Blatche, who is not Filipino, is now Filipino https://t.co/v3sTjDv28P — devin kharpertian (@uuords) May 26, 2014
Blatche received permission to become a Philippine citizen when a special bill was unanimously passed by their senate. The Phillipines are in Group B of the World Cup and will play the likes of Argentina, Greece, Puerto Rico, Croatia and Senegal. Only four teams can come out of the group and the Philippines is considered to be on the bubble.
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