Hold up! Andray Blatche is one step closer to becoming a Filipino? It seems kinda strange that Blatche is claiming the Philippines, but it seems that he really wants to play international ball and as such, he just needs to get citizenship to do so.
Well it seems that the Philippines government passed a bill that would unanimously grant Blatche citizenship, paving the way for him to be able to play for the national squad.
According to the New York Post
Andray Blatche took another step towards becoming a naturalized citizen of the Philippines Monday, which would allow the Nets big man to play on an international stage this fall.
The Filipino Senate unanimously passed a bill to approve Blatche becoming a naturalized citizen, with the only remaining step being President Benigno S. Aquino III signing the bill into law, which he is expected to do. That would allow Blatche, who is from Syracuse, to become a member of the Filipino national basketball team.
Blatche, who averaged 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds this season off the bench, would easily be the best player on the Filipino team, which will be one of 24 competing in the FIBA World Cup — formerly known as the World Championships — in Spain during August and September. The 6-foot-11 Blatche will be an unrestricted free agent this summer after serving as a productive reserve each of the past two seasons in Brooklyn.