Jimmy Alapag tapped to join Sacramento Kings coaching staff

Current head coach of San Miguel Alab Pilippinas of the ABL Jimmy Alapag has been invited to advance his coaching career internationally by National Basketball Association (NBA) team Sacramento Kings. (File Photo: Alab Pilipinas/Facebook)

Alapag initially announced accomplishing this major milestone to sports reporters last Saturday, June 15, telling ESPN5, “I stayed in touch with Vlade Divac who is the Chairman of the FIBA Players’ Commission, where I’ve been a member of for the past four years. After our campaign ended in the ABL, I got to talk to him again. I told him I needed to learn more about coaching because I’ve only been a head coach for two years and he brought up the idea that I should come in and learn from the Sacramento Kings where he is also the general manager.”

The Filipino-American, born in San Bernardino, California is delighted to be a part of the upcoming NBA Summer League, which is celebrating its 15th year at the Thomas and Mack Center and Cox Pavilion in the University of Las Vegas from July 5 to 15. In his words, “I cherish the opportunity to continue my education in coaching.”

Alapag referenced growing up with both Philippine and American cultures as a source of his inspiration, sharing with reporters, “Being near the Bay Area, there will be a lot of Filipino fans there so I’m also excited to see some of our kababayans there as well.” He also mentioned sports fans in the Philippines being his biggest motivation, saying, “More than that, I’m eager to learn and then get to share and pass on the knowledge I get from there to the players and coaches I work with back home.”