Tall Fil-Aussie kid pursues Gilas dream

MANILA, Philippines – Following the string of gutsy performances of the undersized but big hearted Batang Gilas in the international stage that captured the attention of the basketball world, tall kids with Filipino lineage based abroad now want to try their luck and hope to give the national youth team the much needed size upfront.

A day after the 6-foot-7, 14-year old Fil-Nigerian AJ Edu came forward to inquire on the possibility of suiting up for the national team, another tall kid is considering relocating to the country to pursue his basketball dreams.  

Michael Kirkness posted a photo of his son on Pilipinas Basketbol Facebook fan page on Thursday with the hopes of catching the attention of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). 

Read related story: Fil-Nigerian 6-7 kid eyes Gilas stint

Meet Ethan Kirkness, a 12-year old, 6-foot-5 kid born to an Australian father and a Filipina mother.

Unlike Edu, who is lanky and athletic, Kirkness got the size and the heft and still growing.

Ethan Kirkness shows off his awards in just six months after picking up the sport. 

“Ethan just started playing six months ago and has already been awarded with the Most Improved and Most Valuable Player and got selected to play in the Gold Coast division 1 side,” Michael, the kid’s father, told Philstar.com in an overseas call on Thursday night.

The younger Kirkness plays for the Gold Coast Celtics Under-13 team and according to Michael, his son averages 20 points and 20 shot blocks because of his extraordinary height in his age-group. He plays in an age-group where the average height of the kids is 5’4” that is why Michael is looking to advance his son's basketball development and thought of his wife's country because of the Filipinos’ strong passion for the game.

Ethan Kirkness dwarfs his teammates in his Under-13 team in Australia. 

Ethan’s family is based in Gold Coast, Queensland in Australia where surfing is the most popular sport.

“Basketball here is not as popular over there in the Philippines. Basketball struggles here to get TV coverage. So we thought it’s best for Ethan to play in the Philippines to advance his basketball development,” Michael explained.  

Ethan has a 6’8” wingspan and wears US size 18 shoes. He is a left handed player and can pick up the ball with just one hand, according to his father.

“We went to a doctor to check on his health because of his extraordinary size at his age but he got a clean bill with no heart problem whatsoever. We’re not that rich but what we have here is an athletic boy who is extraordinarily tall," Ethan’s father said.

Michael, who stands 6-feet flat, is married to 5-foot-10 Dinah Blando of Dumaguete City and they have one more child, a seven-year old girl named Mikyla who is interested into acting, aside from Ethan.

They have been to the Philippines thrice to visit Dinah’s relatives. Later this year, there is another scheduled trip for the family and they might stay longer in the country depending on the opportunities that will help Ethan’s basketball career grow.

 “We’re going to the Philippines this October to attend to a wedding and at the same time look for an opportunity for advancement of my son in basketball,” Michael said.  

They know that Ethan must need to have a Philippine passport by the age of 16 (according to the new FIBA rule) in order to be eligible to represent his mother’s country and Michael said it's already included in their itinerary during the vacation trip.    

According to Michael, National University Bulldogs coach Eric Altamirano has already touched based with them and offered a full scholarship and free board and lodging for Ethan.  

At 12 years old, Ethan Kirkness already stands five inches taller than his father Michael.

“But as a father, I can’t let my 12-year old son move there [in the Philippines] on his own. He’s a 6-foot-5 but still a very young boy,” Michael said.

“I need to find a job over there or set up a small business to bring my family along. I want to give them a comfortable life just like what we are enjoying here. I don’t want my family to move backwards,” added Michael, who holds several managerial experiences in maintenance in shopping centers, public buildings and emergency systems in Australia.

Ethan is expected to grow taller and develop his game. Michael and especially his wife are hoping to see Ethan represent the Philippines in the world basketball stage someday.  

Read also: Never say die Batang Gilas salvages fifth in FIBA Asia U18