Focus in the international basketball scene is starting to shift according to former Gilas Pilipinas coach Rajko Toroman.
Because of this the Philippines must brace itself for changes that are coming.
Toroman, who is now coaching the Indonesian national men’s team, said the focus on the international basketball scene is now swinging on the development of mid-sized players.
“You know, (the Philippines) is very unlucky country. Because when they got the big guys, the basketball went small. Now you have Fajardo, Kai Sotto, you know a lot of teams in Europe are not using the big guys,” said Toroman in weekly podcast hosted by Charles Tiu and Anton Altamirano.
Toroman made this observation after having returned to Serbia two weeks ago.
He decided to return home after lockdowns in Indonesia which were done to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. This forced the Indonesian national team to stop practicing in the middle of March.
According to Toroman, big players are now being asked to assume positions that are not usually assigned to tall men.
“They are going with small ball. They are going with four small so even five smalls,” said Toroman.
He believes that these adjustments will determine the future of basketball, globally.
The 65-year-old Toroman used to handle the Gilas Pilipinas program from 2009 to 2011.
He started handling Indonesia last year.
Toroman said he is excited in helping Indonesia develop its basketball culture.
The Indonesians may not have the height, the talent of their players is something to consider.
“I was surprised with their discipline, they’re really hard workers. Their basketball IQ is really high. They are good shooters. They have character but some things they miss,” said Toroman.
He added that Indonesia’s level may not be at par with the Philippines and China at the moment, but it will get there.