Horace Grant, who won three straight titles with the Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan era, will visit the country next month to hold clinics and attend the inaugural NBA 3-on-3 Philippines 2011.
Grant played for Chicago in the Bulls' first three-peat with Jordan and Scottie Pippen from 1991 to 1993 before winning a title again with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2001.
Also joining Grant will be the Knicks’ City Dancers, the New York Knicks' cheering group.
Grant will also be the guest in the inaugural NBA 3-on-3 Philippines 2011 on July 1 to 3 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. The tournament is open to boys and girls aged 11 to 19 and will also have an open division men.
NBA Asia senior director for basketball development Ed Winkle said that Grant is a perfect fit for basketball-loving Filipinos.
"He is a fantastic competitor and knows his role in his team. He remained involve in the league, a great representative for the league and a great ambassador of the game," said Winkle.
Grant will be joined by current and former PBA All-Stars in the basketball clinics.
NBA Cares, the league’s global social responsibility program, will also conduct several community events during the NBA 3-on-3 Philippines 2011.
The launch of the NBA 3-on-3 event is timely after the sport was initially played in the 1st Youth Olympic Games in Singapore last year.
"The 3-on-3 is experiencing tremendous growth and it’s a natural extension to come in and run our own version," said Winkle. "The Philippines is the perfect place to launch this event given the country's rich culture and passion for basketball."
Winkle added that they expect the NBA 3-on-3 Philippines to become an annual event that will give everyone the opportunity to experience the sport.
For more information on the NBA 3-on-3 Philippines, log on to www.nba3on3.com/Philippines. - Reuben Terrado, JVP, GMA News
