Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone confirms that Kevin Quiambao will work out with five NBA teams

Philippine basketball star Kevin Quiambao is focusing on his future as he takes steps toward realizing his dream of becoming the first full-blooded Filipino to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Quiambao, a two-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Most Valuable Player (MVP) with the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, recently flew to the United States for a personal training camp aimed at preparing him—both in skill and fitness—for a serious shot at making the NBA.

The 24-year-old is currently still in the U.S. and has yet to return to the Philippines to join the Gilas Pilipinas squad in their preparations for the upcoming 2025 FIBA Asia Cup.

Gilas head coach Tim Cone confirmed in a media interaction that Quiambao will work out with five NBA teams in his pursuit of an NBA opportunity and a possible slot in the Summer League.

“I have been in communication with Kevin, and he has a workout with five NBA teams on the 11th (of July). That will kind of dictate his schedule after that. If he is able to draw some interest, he might stay in the NBA Summer League a little longer. If not, he will come back earlier. The 16th, I think, is the date he’s expected to return—that’s what I understand and what he has mentioned to me,” Cone said.

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone gives an update on Kevin Quiambao’s quest of landing an NBA Summer League spot.

Cone says Quiambao will work out with five NBA teams and might stay a bit longer in the US if he draws interest from the big league. | via @kennedyzcaacbay pic.twitter.com/wK63cc9aDm

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) July 10, 2025

As it stands, Gilas Pilipinas has already begun training for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, with the first practice session held on Monday, July 7.

Quiambao, meanwhile, suffered a setback recently after being left out of the Sacramento Kings’ roster for the upcoming NBA 2K26 Summer League. He had been previously linked to the Kings due to the presence of former Gilas Pilipinas captain Jimmy Alapag, who currently serves as Sacramento’s player development coach and will be part of the Summer League coaching staff in Las Vegas.

If an NBA opportunity doesn’t materialize this season, Quiambao will return to South Korea to continue his professional career. He recently signed a three-year extension with the Goyang Sono Skygunners in the Korean Basketball League (KBL). The forward joined the Skygunners in December 2024 and, despite suffering an ankle injury in his debut season, still averaged 16.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in 23 appearances during the 2024–25 season.

To date, only four Filipino players—Japeth Aguilar, Ray Parks, Kiefer Ravena, and Kai Sotto—have played in the NBA Summer League. Sotto was the most recent, suiting up for the Orlando Magic in 2022, although his stint was cut short due to a back injury.

The NBA Summer League is scheduled to take place from July 10 to 20 in Las Vegas.

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