Jimmy Alapag’s journey (Part 2)

When Jimmy Alapag was first elevated from being an assistant with the G-League’s Stockton Kings to the mother NBA franchise Sacramento Kings, he already knew that he couldn’t coerce the players to do what he wanted. Instead, he found a way to earn their trust and respect by humbly offering his insights in the game.

“I can’t say ‘Back when I played…’ it doesn’t apply, because I’ve never been on an NBA court,” Jimmy explains. “Obviously, coach (Mike) Brown and the staff trust in my ability to be here and to be a part of the organization. I’m never coming from the perspective of ‘Hey, you need to do this. They’re grown men, and they’re the best players in the world.”

The players found Alapag’s highlights on social media, and his prodigious career helped them to accept him. They learned that he had done exceedingly well overseas and had a huge following in the Philippines. He knew what he was talking about. Jimmy also understood the bigger vision he carries on his shoulders.

“I take the responsibility of being in the NBA and being with the Kings very seriously,” the former Talk ‘N Text captain explains. “I take pride in doing my part and hopefully blazing a trail for the next coach who may want this opportunity that I have now.”

Alapag says he was “super proud” of how Gilas Pilipinas performed in the FIBA Olympic qualifier in Latvia. It brought back memories of his national team experience in Spain, when the world realized that Filipinos could play basketball at an elite level.

After all his contributions to Philippine basketball, Jimmy admits that the country is home, and always will be. It was where he got to live out his dreams and start a family. So much of his life in California reminds him of home.

“I tell people all the time, when I see Filipinos here, when they congratulate me for being in the NBA; it’s amazing to be here because the love and passion that the community here has for the game and has for the Kings, is the exact same love and passion that Filipinos have for basketball.”

Then again, we all believe in basketball as a universal language.