Guian Chiu, the Great Brown Hope
After months of mulling over his choices with his parents, Filipino basketball center Gian Chiu will be playing for Oberlin College, a US NCAA Division III school. Chiu, the 6’10” former Ateneo de Manila Blue Eaglet, graduated in the top five of his class at Desert Christian High School in Palm Springs, California.
It was a long, circuitous road for Chiu, who has been following his own internal compass. Intent on increasing his learning, Gian – who at 14 and 6’7” had already trained with the San Miguel Beermen – joined a local basketball camp, knowing that, if he made the Mythical Team, he would be sent to China.
In China, he was spotted by a coach of the Golden State Warriors, who found it easier to communicate with Gian, who spoke very fluent English and was intent on finding a school where he could pursue both his studies and basketball.
“A few weeks later, we were surprised when we got a phone call from Desert Christian,” recalls Gian’s mother, Mary Ann. “We were asking ourselves if this was it. It turned out to be a dream come true.”
Gian made an immediate impact on the Desert Christian Conquerors in his two years there. Before he arrived, The Conquerors were a woeful one win, eleven loss squad. In league play this season, they went 13 and one, with Gian averaging a hefty 16.6 points and 11.7 rebounds. More importantly, Gian was an A+ student, carrying a 4.65 grade point average.
“My parents always told me that, when you have something to do, do it right away,” said Chiu, who has already advanced some of his first-year college subjects (all A’s). “So when I have a project, I finish it as soon as possible, then I can do anything else I want, and just spend the rest of the time refining it, if I have to.”
Gian was heavily recruited, but settled for the Oberlin Yeoman, which is known to many people as a music and arts school in the North Coast Athletic Conference, for two reasons. First, newly appointed head coach Isaiah Cavao promised to build the team around the 18-year old center. Four seniors graduated (two of them honored as All-NCAA selection members). But the team’s tallest player last year was only 6’5”. But that wasn’t what appealed to Gian the most.
“My main reason for picking Oberlin is that 98 percent of its graduates get their first choice of medical school,” Chiu told The STAR. “I really want to have the opportunity to go to Johns Hopkins.”
When he was in grade school, Gian decided he wanted to be a doctor to help people. He’s already decided on internal medicine and diagnostics as his specialization. So far, his aptittude for his studies has matched his great height.
“He’s a model student and a dedicated athlete,” says Kirk Collier, who trained Gian when he was younger. “Whatever he decides to do with his life, I wouldn’t bet against him.”
True enough, Chiu runs cross-country to stay in shape in the off-season (they aren’t allowed to touch a basketball at all), and has even tried American football. He realizes that he’s at the start of the new trend in basketball, where the best big men are no longer the slow, bulky centers of old, but the leaner, more athletic types who are stronger than they look, like number one NBA draft pick Greg Oden.
Gian was asked, what he would do if an NBA team knocked on his door midway through college. Given the fact that he can also play both forward spots, this is a distinct possibility.
“If that possibility comes up, then maybe I can play for a few years save up enough to put myself through medical school,” Gian admits. “And if other schools talk to me, I’ll take it one year at a time. I’d also love to play for the national team, as long as it doesn’t disrupt my studies at this point.”
So far, so good. Each year seems to have gotten better for the young player, who has the luxury of choosing a future between becoming an imposing Filipino presence in the NBA, or becoming one in the medical profession.
(source: philstar 7/14/07)
He is anything you can ask for from a young kid, a basketball coach's dream player, as a parent, a son you can be proud of, as an academic professor, a bright A+ student, to all young filipino aspiring basketball players an "almost" perfect model, a new breed of filipino athlete, the very best that could ever happen in this generation. This young guy could do it all...he is the next big thing, a real deal in deed.
Last edited by dreamwalker; 07-13-2007 at 07:34 PM. Reason: attachment
No offense, but this should be with the thread titled The Next Great Brown Hope.
Gian Chiu, the next brown hope?
Maybe. Maybe not.
The thing is, no matter how you cut it, no matter what reasons might be out there, he still ended up in an US NCAA Div. 3 school.
Now, all the hype in the world, won't necessarily translate to being able to keep up w/, say, Qatar or Jordan's big men. He needs to prove it in actual competitions first.
No offense taken, but who was the first one ? Carlos Loyzaga ?Originally Posted by ctongco
I think so. He's still 17 i think and he's already 6'7"... He's a mobile big man for his age, i hope he'll grow up to 6'10"... He has a great stroke, could play like Tim Duncan! hehehehe
Impossible is Nothing!!!
Let's just say, no matter what he becomes in the very near future, either to become a great basketball player or an outstanding medical doctor, the Philippines would still be a winner in whatever chosen field of profession he wishes to become. What can I say ?, the young guy is smart, surely with the proper stateside training, Division III, II or I, he might become one. The point is, he's not only gifted with height but he's pretty smart too.
But you'll never know, he might be your next "kapitana de barangay" (Barangay Captain), like Dr. Rey dela Cruz ? hope not......
MABUHAY KA, FILIPINO !!!
The youtube links in this forum showed a great disparity between the Gian Chiu who played in Ateneo High School and the Gian Chiu being interviewed at Desert Christian High School. In high school, Gian was tall with promising offensive skills and with some baby fat still on his body and face. In the US, I saw a different Gian Chiu, matured, very trimmed body without the baby fat and his movement has improved a lot. With a lot more banging in the US collegiate level, expect Gian to bulk up more muscle and possibly get taller possibly from 6-7 in HS to 6-9 in college. He's listed as 6-10 entering college as most US sports agents usually exagerate the height to convince scouts. His college coach expects a lot from him. Whether Chiu would return to the Philippines to play for the country is another question which needs to be answered by Chiu himself.
According to his parents Gian's still growing he's 6'10 right now no wonder NBA Golden State scout following his development. He may be the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to play in the NBA.
hey dude I think he made a good choice about DIV III. There he will be the main man for his team. He could hone his skill further playing 30-40 mins than riding the bench for a DIV I school. maybe 2 years after he could transfer to DIV I school much improved then. remember he only played for 2 years in the states showing remarkable improvements.
peace yao!
(Chuckle) "Kapitana De Baranggay" my as_.Let's just say, no matter what he becomes in the very near future, either to become a great basketball player or an outstanding medical doctor, the Philippines would still be a winner in whatever chosen field of profession he wishes to become. What can I say ?, the young guy is smart, surely with the proper stateside training, Division III, II or I, he might become one. The point is, he's not only gifted with height but he's pretty smart too.
But you'll never know, he might be your next "kapitana de barangay" (Barangay Captain), like Dr. Rey dela Cruz ? hope not......
MABUHAY KA, FILIPINO !!!
All I see w/ this guy, is HYPE. He hasn't proven ANYTHING yet, & ending up in an NCAA Div. 3 school speaks of his limited abilities in basketball.
Academics first? Give me a break. If he were ANY good, he would've ended up in an NCAA Div. 1 school that is ACADEMICALLY SOUND also.
The NCAA division III players are very little chance to make in the NBA... Gian is already 6'10.. He should going to Division I school for many NBA material and verygood academically too...,,
well, guys, lets just be patient and see what will happen in the future.
Would it be interesting to see Gian Chiu and Japeth Aguilar match up in a given game ? I have never seen them play...they used to play both where, Ateneo ? who do you think is much better ? want to see them become or as good as local born superstars of yesteryears with either the likes of Ramon Fernandez or Philip Cesar.... and that's good enough for me. Agree or disagree ?
As far as I know, Japeth was a college freshman in 2004, the same year Gian transferred to Ateneo HS from Xavier GS. It's quite possible that Gian joined seniors scrimmages then, although I have no footage to prove it. In any event, Japeth was never a true center; he is more of a tweener forward. Gian, on the other hand, played center exclusively.Would it be interesting to see Gian Chiu and Japeth Aguilar match up in a given game ? I have never seen them play...they used to play both where, Ateneo ? who do you think is much better ? want to see them become or as good as local born superstars of yesteryears with either the likes of Ramon Fernandez or Philip Cesar.... and that's good enough for me. Agree or disagree ?
Japeth is far more athletic than Gian is. However, Gian has the added advantage of being exposed to US basketball longer, and will still have three years to grow. I think Japeth has reached his maximum height and will need to fill up his frame. His offensive game now includes a decent long-range jumper. Gian will need to work on his outside shot and agility.
Believe!
Emman Monfort says you may kiss his PBA draftee's ass
Hahahaha!!! you just copied the thread title from friedbrains!!!
Thats messed up!!!
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS 2008
hmmmm...... imitation is the highest form of flattery.Hahahaha!!! you just copied the thread title from friedbrains!!!
Stuart, can we just merge this with that of friedbrains?
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