TAGUIG CITY, Philippines - During his four years at Cal Poly Pomona,
Matt Rosser finished seventh all-time in games played and helped the Broncos capture the
NCAA Division II national title in 2010. As it turns out, those memories are likely just be the beginning of Rosser's basketball adventures.
Born in the Philippines, Rosser signed with the country's National Team - also called "Smart Gilas" - and has already completed his first week of practice after flying across the globe to his new home on July 28.
"It is an honor for me to represent my country," said Rosser, whose mother Gina is a Philippines native. "The national team coaches liked my size at the point guard position. To compete against the bigger players on the China and Japan national teams, hopefully I can contribute right away."
During Smart Gilas' Aug. 4 practice at Treston Gym in
Taguig City, the team got a visit from
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. To view a picture of the group,
click here. Similarly to Rosser, Spoelstra is a Filipino-American through his mother's side. Spoelstra is the first Asian American head coach in the history of the four major American sports leagues and the first Asian American head coach to win an NBA championship.
"I was watching you doing your stuff and you know what, I miss it," Spoelstra said to the team. "I love coaching but I miss playing. Twenty years from now you'll be lying on your pillows and you'll miss it too. So make the most of this opportunity."
Rosser, who grew up in Temecula, Calif., is expected to make his first Smart Gilas appearance at the annual William Jones Cup, which will be held from Aug. 18 to Aug. 26 in Taipei, Taiwan. The team's major goal is to place within the top three slots at the 2013 FIBA-Asia Championships, which would earn the country a spot at the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
"Matt worked extremely hard during his time in Pomona," Broncos' head coach
Greg Kamansky said. "We're proud of what he's achieved and he's certainly earned this great opportunity. He brings a lot of energy to the game and the national team fans should be excited about watching him play."
Other top players on the Smart Gilas squad include Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan. Norwood played collegiately at George Mason and has become a veteran of international competition, having competed in the Jones Cup and the FIBA Asia Championship in 2007 and 2009. Norwood and Chan were also teammates on the Philippine squad that won the gold medal in the 2007 Southeast Asian Games.
