People told Kadeem Jack he would love playing in the Philippines. Turned out they were right.
Kadeem Jack had always known he was bound to play in the PBA one day.
That day came days before the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup unfurled when NorthPort tapped him to replace original choice Kavell Bigby Williams.
Turned out, the Batang Pier made the right choice.
With Jack leading the squad that boasts of young stars in Arvin Tolentino and Joshua Munzon, NorthPort hiked to the top with a 6-1 win-loss record before the Christmas break.
The G. League veteran is averaging 30.29 points, 11.86 rebounds, 1.43 assists, 1.57 steals, and 1.71 blocks in seven games so far.
[RELATED STORY: NorthPort import Kadeem Jack sees Magnolia counterpart Ricardo Ratliffe as inspiration]
When asked about how he heard about the Philippines, Jack mentioned a familiar name for PBA fans, especially the ones from Converge.
“Scotty Hopson, that’s my brother too, he played out here. So I definitely heard about it,” said Jack in a previous interview.
[ALSO READ: Goodbye 2024, hello 2025: LA Tenorio values blessings, learnings of every day]
Hopson reinforced Converge in the season-opening Governors’ Cup.
Asked to elaborate his relationship with Hopson, Jack said the prolific FiberXers import is basically his brother.
“That’s my brother. I know him since I was young. We’ve been working out with the same trainer for a while. Stayed at the same house… That’s my brother for real,” he said.
The hardworking Jack added Hopson, among others, said he would love playing in the Philippines.
So far, those guys were spot on.
“I always kinda knew (about the PBA). Beause people that played here, they like, ‘Yo, as soon as you go out there you’re gonna love it.” So they were right,” said Jack.
[RELATED STORY: Arvin Tolentino flawless with no turnover in NorthPort's quick recovery vs Eastern]