6'9 14 Years Old Fil-Aussie Ethan Kirkness Officially Joins Batang Gilas

According to Fox Sports Asia, Fil-Aussie Ethan Kirkness offkcially joins Batang Gilas.

Batang Gilas continues to get bigger as 6-foot-9 wunderkind Ethan Kirkness becomes the first Fil-Foreigner to be recruited by the national youth basketball program. 

Under the developmental program forged by Batang Gilas with the Kirkness family, Ethan will be trained in Australia for six months and will be evaluated accordingly. If plans don’t miscarry, Ethan will make his Batang Gilas debut in the FIBA Asia Under-16 Championships where he is expected to form a twin tower combo with fellow 6-foot-9 Kai Sotto, the son of former PBA player Ervin Sotto.

Ethan is currently being personally trained by former NBL player-turned youth basketball coach Greg Fox, who played against the Alvin Patrimonio-led Philippine team in the 1987 Jones Cup.

“Ethan has already added 6 inches to his vertical leap utilizing my training and conditioning methods – so that’s pretty significant for him at this stage of development,” Fox told FOX Sports in an overseas call.

He noted that he is working on Ethan’s eye-hands coordination using tennis balls series.

Fox though is careful not put too much pressure on Ethan as he wants him to develop not only big man’s skills but to become a versatile player.

“I want to establish and develop his foundation of skills particularly his movement and footwork,” Fox added.

While considered a project, Ethan is very eager to learn as he is religiously attending his thrice-a-week personal training with Fox and another one with his Seahawks club team.

At 6-9 and 230 lbs., Ethan’s father said he’s having a hard time maintaining his son’s training and development.

“He is as strong as an ox. It costs us a lot to get him this far. His dream is really to play for Gilas someday so we’re really happy for him,” Michael Kirkness said.

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Read more: www.foxsportsasia.com.