October 1, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — American basketball pros Sam Vincent and Taj McWilliams-Franklin are visiting the Philippines to participate in a series of engagements that will showcase American excellence in basketball and empower young Filipino athletes and leaders as part of the US Department of State’s Sports Envoy Program.
The initiative strengthens people-to-people ties between Filipinos and Americans through their shared love for sports, while inspiring the next generation of leaders.
Vincent is an NBA champion with the Boston Celtics in 1986 while McWilliams-Franklin is a two-time WNBA champion with the Detroit Shock in 2008 and the Minnesota Lynx in 2011. Both players transitioned to coaching following their successful professional careers as players.
During their visit, Vincent and McWilliams-Franklin will lead basketball clinics and leadership seminars in Alaminos City in Pangasinan, organized in partnership with the local government.
The visiting US sports envoys bring their professional and collegiate coaching experiences to train young athletes in basketball fundamentals while fostering the values of leadership, dedication, and teamwork that will help participants succeed in their professional lives.
