If the citizenship bid pushes through, Bennie Boatwright will be the latest reinforcement for Gilas Pilipinas along with Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, and Jordan Clarkson.
The naturalization process for Bennie Boatwright officially starts in Congress.
The 27-year-old forward, who helped the San Miguel Beermen claim the PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup championship, previously said it was a "no-brainer" to become a part of the Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player pool.
[ALSO READ: Gilas: Bennie Boatwright says decision to undergo naturalization process for Gilas a ‘no brainer’]
On Monday, Senator Sonny Angara filed Senate Bill No. 2646, which sought to grant citizenship to the 27-year-old Boatwright.
"Boatwright will be a very strong addition to the Gilas Pilipinas squad and will make us even more competitive in international tournaments including the Asian Games, World Cup and even the Olympics," said Angara, the chairman of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Aside from the PBA, the six-foot-ten former University of Southern California Trojans star had stints in the NBA G League, the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP), and the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
As a USC Trojan, Boatwright was named All-PAC-12 First Team for the 2018-2019 season, alongside current NBA players Jaylen Nowell, KZ Okpala and Matisse Thybulle.
In 2017 he was MVP of the ESPN Diamond Head Classic and in 2019 he was part of the National Association of Basketball Coaches All District Second Team.
From 2020 to 2022, Boatwright played in the NBA G League for the Memphis Hustle and Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
This was followed by stints with the Libertadores de Queretaro of the LNBP and currently with the Shanxi Loongs of the CBA.
“Boatwright adds depth to Gilas Pilipinas. With his height and ability to shoot from the perimeter, Boatwright will definitely help the national team as a two-way player,” Angara said.
Antipolo City Rep. Robbie Puno, who serves as SBP vice chairman, is also expected to file the counterpart measure in the House of Representatives.
Once naturalized, Boatwright will join the Gilas Pilipinas' reinforcement pool which includes Justin Brownlee--who is currently playing for Pelita Jaya and is also committed to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Ange Kouame--who is suiting up for Chartres Métropole in France, and Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz.
Coach Tim Cone though emphasized that the 36-year-old Brownlee remains "their guy" as Gilas Pilipinas will soon be preparing for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July, as well as the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in November.
The younger Boatwright will serve as a backup.