MANILA, Philippines — With a Filipino passport in hand, 6-6 high school sophomore Caelum Harris said the other day he’s ready to play for Gilas at whatever level that coach Chot Reyes decides. Reyes recently said Harris and Lebron Lopez will anchor Gilas’ U18 squad but didn’t rule out the possibility of enlisting both teenagers to suit up for the senior team at the SEA Games in Hanoi this May.
Harris, 17, said he can’t wait to put on a Philippine jersey. “I’m filled with joy,” he said. “I can’t explain how excited I am for this opportunity. It’s been constant talk with my parents and siblings. Tita Patty (Scott) and Tita Chao (Espaldon) of East West Private got in touch with me over a year ago to ask if I’d be interested to play for Gilas then I got my Filipino passport before I turned 16. I’m excited to expand my game and learn from a coach who wins a lot.”
Harris is entering his third year at Stewarts Creek High in Tennessee and has already received offers from Tennessee State and Alabama A&M aside from drawing attention from NBA legend Penny Hardaway who coaches the University of Memphis varsity. Last Thursday, Harris scored 27 points, with three triples, in Stewarts Creek’s 90-61 loss to Cane Ridge High for the Region 4-4A championship. Stewarts Creek has an 18-11 record and will play Coffee County Central today (Manila time). Harris and his father Marcos Sr. will fly to Manila when the high school season ends late this month.
Harris’s grandmother Salvacion Dano, 86, hails from Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu city, Cebu. She’s a former teacher and her family owns an elementary school in Marigondon. “My lola lives with us in Tennessee,” said Harris. “My dad got me interested in track so I do long jump and 400-meters. My two brothers Marcos Jr. and Keilan play football and do track but since I’m the tallest, I chose to play basketball. I was six when a friend invited me to play in a rec league and we lost every game. I was upset and that’s where I got my competitive spirit. From when I was a kid, I owe my basketball basics to coach David Carey who’s been in my corner for eight to 10 years. I like LeBron James, the way he dunks. It’s what I like to do, to excite the fans and get my teammates going. I also like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar whose skyhook I sometimes do. But I think the player whom I play like is Jayson Tatum.”
Harris, who craves lumpia and pansit, said to play at the 2023 FIBA World Cup would be a dream come true. “It won’t be just for me but for my family and the Philippines,” he said. “I’m excited to showcase what I can do.” Once he arrives, Harris will stay here until the next high school term begins in September. He plans to eventually play at an NCAA D-1 school and apply for the NBA draft.