In a groundbreaking moment for Filipino basketball, former Gilas Pilipinas captain and PBA great Jimmy Alapag will be taking the helm of the Sacramento Kings as they face off against the reigning NBA champions and Nikola Jokic-led Denver Nuggets on Sunday, December 3, 2023.
Currently serving as an assistant coach for the Kings, Alapag will step up as the interim head coach in place of Mike Brown, according to a social media post from NBA Philippines on Saturday, December 2.
The Filipino floor general will guide De'Aaron Fox and Co. on the sidelines as they aim to improve their current 10-7 win-loss record, which places them fifth in the Western Conference standings.
This marks Alapag's first time coaching an actual NBA game since his appointment as an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings NBA Summer League in 2019, where he played a pivotal role in their championship victory in 2021.
Born and raised in Southern California, Alapag was promoted to player development coach after serving two years as an assistant tactician for the Stockton Kings, the G League affiliate of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.
Before embarking on his coaching career, Alapag amassed a remarkable collection of accolades and achievements during his playing days in the PBA and international stints. His accomplishments include a Rookie of the Year Award (2003), an MVP award (2011), six championships with TNT, two gold medals in the SEA Games (2015, 2017), a bronze and a silver medal in the Jones Cup (2007, 2015), and two silver medals in the FIBA Asia Championship (2013, 2015).
He was also a member of the Gilas Pilipinas team that participated in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Seville, Spain. In a historic moment, they secured an overtime victory against Senegal, 81-79, ending the country's 40-year winless drought in the global showpiece.
Alapag's appointment as interim head coach for the Sacramento Kings marks a significant milestone for Filipino basketball, paving the way for future opportunities for Filipino coaches in the NBA. His leadership, experience, and passion for the game will undoubtedly inspire his team as they take on the reigning champions.
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