Erik Spoelstra – First Filipino NBA Coach

Blue M. — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:31:46 +0000

Erik Spoelstra became the first Filipino NBA coach in the league. He was an outstanding high school player in Jesuit High School(Portland, Oregon). He set many records including 3rd most assists, 3rd in three pointers, and 6th in point percentage. After College he went on to play for University of Portland, he was named the named the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year. Erik Spoelstra’s Mother is Filipino and and his Dad is a Dutch ancestry.

After college, Erik Spoelstra went on to coach Herten Ruhr Devils, a German Professional Baskeball team. Erik Spoelstra wanted to play in the Philippine Pro Basketball League, but never happen. He then started his carree with the Miami Heat as a video Coordinator then promoted to assistant coach with Pat Riley’s coaching staff. After years with the team, Pat Riley decided to step as the head coach and promoted Erik Spoelstra as the new head coach of the Miami Heat.

Erik Spoelstra became the youngest NBA coach in the League when he was promoted. Erik has since travelled the Philippines to promote and do basketball clinics in various places in the Philippines. Filipino pro basketball players might not be close enough to making it in the NBA, but they are continually progressing towards that goal and maybe someday we will see the first ever Filipino NBA player.

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Erik Spoelstra – First Filipino NBA Coach