Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Jeffers could call S’pore home

SINGAPORE — The Republic’s bid to improve on the basketball bronze medal won last December in Myanmar could get a boost in the shape of former Singapore Slingers centre Kyle Jeffers.

Former Singapore Slingers centre Kyle Jeffers (left) led the team into the ASEAN Basketball League play-offs. Today File Photo

Former Singapore Slingers centre Kyle Jeffers (left) led the team into the ASEAN Basketball League play-offs. Today File Photo

SINGAPORE — The Republic’s bid to improve on the basketball bronze medal won last December in Myanmar could get a boost in the shape of former Singapore Slingers centre Kyle Jeffers.

The Basketball Association of Singapore (BAS) has made it known that the application forms for the 29-year-old American to acquire Singapore citizenship have been lodged with the Immigration Department.

BAS President David Ong, who is also Member of Parliament for Jurong GRC, told TODAY the association is confident that the process to acquire permanent residency and then citizenship for Jeffers will come through in time for the 2.07m, 122kg player to represent Singapore at next year’s SEA Games, which will be hosted here (June 5-16).

“All the relevant papers have been submitted in early February and we have informed the Singapore Sports Council of Jeffers’ application under the Foreign Sports Talent Scheme,” said Ong. “I expect a decision from the Immigration Department in the next couple of months.

“But let me say that we did not make the decision in haste nor were we desperate to get him. I spoke to Jeffers over a period of time and I found out that he was genuine in wanting to have a chance to wear Singapore colours.”

Born in California, Jeffers played for Oregon State in his college days and then had stints in Germany, Colombia and Australia before joining the Singapore Slingers in the inaugural ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) season in 2009-2010.

He averaged 14.8 points and 13.3 rebounds per game in the Slingers’ first two ABL seasons, leading the team into the play-offs both times.

“Jeffers has been living here since 2009 … and knows the national team players, and I am sure he can fit in. That’s why we supported the move,” said Ong.

“We know his value to the team if we can have him. A big guy like him under the opponent’s basket will always be an advantage.

National head coach Neo Beng Siang, who also coaches the Slingers, said Jeffers is recovering from a serious foot injury which forced him to drop out of the Slingers midway through last season, but is working his way back into the game.

“He is playing some local league games to get his fitness and sharpness back again,” said Neo.

“I am not sure how his citizenship application is coming along but if it comes through, the national team will benefit. Jeffers’ height and size mean a lot, especially (for) the rebounds and the inside game.”

For Ong, nothing will change if Jeffers’ bid to become a Singaporean is rejected.

“The national men’s team will carry on as usual and we are still targeting a medal at the 2015 SEA Games,” he said.

“We won a bronze at the Myanmar SEA Games but we are aiming higher at the next Games.”

When asked why BAS is heading down the foreign talent route, Ong commented: “As Singaporeans we must also not be xenophobic in that we cannot accept someone who is not born and bred here to play for us. We must be open about it and accept someone who can contribute to the team.

“Table tennis has some good foreigners who have done Singapore proud. There are foreign-born badminton players who are flying the Singapore flag internationally. There are foreigners representing Singapore in so many other sports too.”

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.