At least two Asian American Pacific Islanders have been selected in the 2014 NBA draft and a third may about to be signed.
NBC reports that 6’8″ Jabari Parker of Duke was the second overall selection in the NBA Draft on Thursday, selected by the Milwaukee Bucks.
His mother, Lola, is from the Polynesian Island of Tonga and her grandfather was the second person ever baptized in Tonga by the Mormon missionary. Jabari is also Mormon, making him the first African American Mormon in the NBA.
At his introductory news conference, Jabari credited the fundamentals his coaches taught him at both Duke and his high school, Simeon Career Academy in Chicago, for his success.
He also said the Bucks are getting someone with a strong work ethic.
“They get a hard worker and I have a lot of integrity and a lot of pride,” said Parker. “I never get satisfied with anything I’m doing. It’s always on to the next. You’ll never see me on social media bragging. I’ll definitely be in the gym all the time.”
AsAmNews also reported earlier that Jordan Clarkson, whose mother is Filipino, has been drafted by the Washington Wizards and then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to the team, it received the rights to the 6’5″ point guard from Missouri in exchange for cash.
There are also several reports that Sim Bhullar will be signed by the Sacramento Kings. The signing was reportedly
going to happen Friday, but no announcement has been made. Bhullar is a 7’5″ ,360 pound center from New Mexico.
If signed, he would become the biggest man in the NBA.
Left undrafted was Filipino American Jason Brickman of Long Island University. Brickman is just one of four players in NCAA history to surpass the 1,000 assist total.
