FEU recruits Filipino-Japanese scorer Adam Nakai
The FEU Tamaraws continued their impressive offseason recruitment haul by successfully attaining the commitment of 6-foot-3 Filipino-Japanese prospect Adam Nakai, head coach Sean Chambers confirmed to ALL-STAR Magazine on Saturday, June 8.
Nakai, who played high school basketball for Saint Teresa in California, is eligible for five playing seasons from S87 onward. He’s a knockdown shooter and versatile on both ends of the floor.
“Adam is a tremendous shooter and athletic shooting guard,” Chambers said in an exclusive interview.
“He will be an important piece in the culture we are building at FEU and I’m excited to help him in his development as a student-athlete in our university. He is an under-the-radar prospect but a great addition to the team. Tamaraws fans can be very excited for what he will bring to the table.”
Nakai’s high school squad made it to the semifinals of the CCS D1 tournament.
Like many of the other top international recruits this offseason – Jacob Bayla, Jayden Jones, Zain Mahmood, and Alex Konov – Nakai also comes from Fil-Nation Select’s developmental program. Overall, the rookie class entering the UAAP men’s basketball this season is arguably the best in a long time.
Nakai joins an FEU team which just advanced to the semis of the Filoil preseason tournament and looks poised to return to the status of a Final Four contender under the guidance of a new head coach and unified management team.
“With our new recruits & fine young men such as Adam Nakai, Veejay Pre, Jayden Jones, Nicholas Dunque, Janrey Pasaol, Jedrick Daa, and Mo Konateh, we are shaping out to be the Fab Five of the UAAP. We will work hard every day to play the right way and make our FEU community proud,” Chambers proclaimed.
Nakai arrived in the Philippines on Friday and was in attendance for FEU’s thrilling victory over CSB in the quarterfinals. His rookie batchmate, Jones, is also in the country already.
It remains to be seen if Jones and Nakai will be able to suit up for the remainder of the tournament.