Filipino-American Dylan Harper, this year’s second overall pick in the recently-concluded NBA Rookie Draft, isn’t eligible to play for Gilas Pilipinas.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio and executive director Erika Dy, confirmed it to Pinoystep.com.
“He has no passport before he turned 16 and he also played for USA Basketball already,” wrote Panlilio in a Viber message.
Harper saw action for the US under-19 squad that competed and placed fourth in the 2023 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, averaging 9.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
The son of former NBA star and five-time NBA champion Ron Harper was selected by the San Antonio Spurs behind No.1 overall pick Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks, but the latest Pinoy player to crack the big league drew much buzz as he joined an elite list that include Raymond Townsend, Jordan Clarkson and Jalen Green as the only Filipino-American players to get selected in the Draft.
Dylan also has a brother, Ron, who now plays in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons.
“He is not,” said Dy, referring to Harper’s eligibility. “He’s very Filipino. He never got a passport. Sayang.”
According to Dy, it’s going to be an added burden if ever one player will ask for transfer of federation.
“Dylan played for USA Basketball, so it’s an extra barrier to transfer federations unless you do it before you are 18,” added Dy.
Photos from Dylan Harper’s Instagram and Erika Dy.
