US Basketball Pros hold Alaminos basketball clinic
By: Nonnette C. Bennett, photos courtesy of US Embassy
U.S. Sports Envoy Taj McWilliams-Franklin joins participants after a basketball clinic in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, on September 30.
U.S. Sports Envoy Sam Vincent leads a youth basketball clinic in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, on September 30.
Alaminos City, Pangasinan, September 30, 2025—American basketball pros Sam Vincent and Taj McWilliams-Franklin showcased American excellence in basketball and to empower young Filipino athletes during basketball clinics and leadership seminars in Alaminos City in Pangasinan, organized in partnership with the local government.
The visiting U.S. Sports Envoys brought 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.
A series of engagements are part of the U.S. Department of State’s Sports Envoy Program. This 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.
The visit underscores the love of basketball in the United States and the Philippines—one of many facets of the people-to-people ties that form the bedrock of the U.S.-Philippines bilateral relationship.
“Basketball has long been a shared passion between Americans and Filipinos. Through the U.S. Sports Envoys program in the Philippines, we celebrate that connection while also empowering young people with the leadership, dedication, and teamwork skills that sports uniquely provide,” said Y. Robert Ewing U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires.
The U.S. Department of State’s Sports Envoy Program sends passionate, inspirational professional athletes to engage communities across the world. Since its launch in 2005, more than 300 envoys representing 24 different sports have traveled on behalf of the U.S. government to deliver impactful programs and strengthen bilateral relations.
