As usual, the naturalizations for FIBA competitions are debated. Latest example to date with Josep ‘Pep’ Clarós Canals, the coach of Angola, who has just lost his second meeting in three outings against the Dominican Republic (67-75) Karl Anthony Towns.
A defeat synonymous with non-qualification since Italy beat the Philippines to qualify for the second round. Asked about the chances of qualification of his team and other African nations, the technician branched off on this trend of naturalization of players for major international events.
” We could sign a foreign player like most national teams and maybe we would score more 3-pointers. But I don’t believe that’s a good thing and I really think FIBA needs to put an end to this practice as soon as possible. », ask the technician.
” Otherwise, in a few years, there will be no more local talent. Each country must develop its own players. That’s what I think. There are players who don’t even speak the language of the country they represent. Some countries have seven or eight foreign-born players “, deplores Josep Clarós Canals who does not quote “KAT”, Dominican-American player born in the United States and whose deceased mother was born in the Dominican Republic.
Five other players of this team were born elsewhere than in this Republic but this one does not have any naturalized player. We are far from the Rondae Hollis-Jefferson case, for example, whose naturalization with Jordan looks like being recruited by a club. Or the Kyle Anderson case with China.
The phenomenon seems to be gaining momentum while we can still cite the examples Jordan Clarkson (Philippines), Thomas Walkup (Greece), Mike Tobey (Slovenia), Kendrick Perry (Montenegro), Thad McFadden (Georgia), Omari Spellam ( Lebanon) and Carlik Jones (South Sudan).
Remember that FIBA allows one naturalized player per country. As citizenship laws vary from country to country, it is easier for some to naturalize as many players as they wish.
