Brooklyn Nets’ Andray Blatche now a Filipino
MANILA, Philippines— Brooklyn Nets player Andray Blatche was granted Filipino citizenship on Wednesday so he can play for the national team at the FIBA World Cup this year, Philippine officials said.
President Benigno Aquino III signed a law granting citizenship to the American-born Blatche, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.
Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, the main author of the law, said Filipinos are a “sports-loving nation with a distinct affection for basketball” and that the 2.11-meter (6-foot-11) Blatche can make “significant contributions to Philippines basketball.”