FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — NBA star Jalen Green is proud to represent his Filipino roots on basketball’s biggest stage.
Green, guard for the Phoenix Suns, says his heritage plays a major role in his identity both personally and professionally.
“The fact that I’m in the NBA and representing them as a Filipino basketball player, it means a lot,” Green said. “It feels good having a whole country on my back, riding for me.”
Green, who is half Black and half Filipino, made his first trip to the Philippines while attending San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno.
His mother, Bree Purganan, has always encouraged him to embrace his Filipino background.
“I’m super proud,” Green said. “The last time I went to the Philippines, we actually had the chance to go back to her hometown, where our family is from, so that was a cool experience. We got to go there, play basketball, meet the families and stuff out there. The kids, play with them a little bit. It was a good experience.”
Though he was already gaining attention from basketball fans in the Central Valley, Green was surprised by the support he received overseas.
“Oh, it was crazy,” he said. “At 15 I was starting to be a well-known basketball player. Going out there just kind of built my confidence up a lot.”
Green says the love from Filipino fans has been consistent since his high school days.
“The Philippines has supported me since before the NBA,” he said. “I was taking trips, going out there playing basketball and just meeting everyone. It’s always been great, they’ve always showed so much love and that’s carried on to my NBA career.”
NBA teams have hosted Filipino Heritage Nights to honor Jalen Green and fellow Fil- Ams such as Utah’s Jordan Clarkson and Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra.
“Those are great,” Green said. “I get a shoe to wear that night through Adidas. They put a Filipino shoe together and then on top of that, the whole arena is representing the Philippines, whether it’s a shirt or the Filipino culture comes and represents.”
Off the court, Green continues to give back. He recently hosted a back-to-school giveaway at the Boys and Girls Club of West Fresno, providing shoes and school supplies to local kids.
As the NBA season tips off, Green will be suiting up in a Phoenix Suns uniform with the support of two nations behind him.
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