Filipino-American coach Erick Spoelstra said on Wednesday that he once dreamed of playing in the PBA.
“Yes. Obviously, growing up, my goal initially was to play in the PBA. That was always a dream of mine,” Spoelstra told the members of the press.
“My family would send VHS tapes of the PBA Games, and I just saw how crazy the crowds were,” he added.
Spoelstra played four years of college basketball for the University of Portland. He was the starting point guard for the team but went undrafted in the 1992 NBA draft.
After his college career, he played two years in a professional league in Germany. His life changed in 1995 when he accepted an offer to be a part of the Miami Heat organization.
While his dream of playing in the PBA did not materialize, Spoelstra is now considered one of the best coaches in NBA history. He has two titles under his belt, and he was also a two-time All-Star Game head coach.
Spoelstra is now in the Philippines as a member of Team USA’s coaching staff. (MJD)
