MANILA, Philippines – Bennie Boatwright did not have to think twice when he got asked to become Gilas Pilipinas’ next naturalized player. 

His splendid stay in the country while playing for San Miguel convinced Boatwright to accept the offer from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas as his naturalization went underway. 

“Living here, experiencing the culture, experiencing everything, and my teammates, coaches, they all made me feel welcomed, so it’s a no-brainer,” said Boatwright. 

Boatwright took the PBA by storm when came in as replacement import in the Commissioner’s Cup, steering the Beermen to the championship following a six-game conquest of Magnolia in the finals. 

A 6-foot-8 big man with a sweet shooting stroke, the 27-year-old Boatwright averaged 30.3 points, 12 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in his first tour of duty in the PBA.

Boatwright said he got approached by San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua if he wanted to be naturalized after their semifinal sweep of Ginebra and he immediately agreed. 

“Couple of players mentioned it to me and coaches were like asking me if I’m open to it. After we played Ginebra, boss Al asked me if I was open to it and I said for sure. And that’s where it started,” Boatwright said.

Now playing in the Chinese Basketball Association for the Shanxi Loongs, Boatwright returned to the country and met with SBP president Al Panlilio for the first time on Saturday, April 20.

The federation chief liked what he saw in Boatwright and even compared him to current naturalized player Justin Brownlee.

“I told him that he’s a bigger, younger version of Brownlee,” said Panlilio in a story posted on the SBP website. “He’s very excited to be chosen, to be part of the Gilas journey.”

Boatwright will join a growing naturalized player pool that also includes NBA veteran Jordan Clarkson and former UAAP MVP Ange Kouame. – Rappler.com