Gilas prospect to suit up with Duke

MANILA, Philippines — Add Gilas Pilipinas women prospect Vanessa de Jesus to the growing list of Filipinas carving their own marks overseas after becoming the first Asian player to land in top US NCAA Division I school in Duke University.

Born to Filipino parents who hail from Boracay and Pangasinan, the California-raised teen sensation will debut this November in the elite league under Blue Devils coach Kara Lawson, a former WNBA champion and 2008 Olympic gold medalist.

And soon, the Sierra Canyon School standout also hopes to play for the Philippines.

“I’m interested in playing for the Philippines knowing just how big basketball is there. I’m very excited about that,” she said in a zoom conference yesterday with Gilas coach Pat Aquino and Duke Athletics Operations senior associate director of communications Lindy Brown.