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Fil-American guard Chris Koon is the latest recruit for the Blue Eagles Athenaeum, team officials announced Friday.
Koon, who will be transferring from Cal Poly-Pomona, has yet to exhaust any of his playing years and will be available for five years for the Blue Eagles.
The 6’4 “point guard will bring depth and talent to a team aiming to win its fourth straight title next season, according to Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin.
“He can play in multiple positions, a variety of skills. One of his greatest attributes is his basketball IQ, very smart and a very tough player. His transition to our program will be quite smooth,” said Baldwin.
As a left-hander, he compares his game to retired San Antonio Spurs great Manu Ginobili.
“I really like Manu Ginobili, a southpaw who just cut in the lane. He’s a kind of team that likes to win with his work ethic. I mean, he was at Spurs, a winning program with [Gregg] Popovich. I love watching him play and since I’m left-handed, I try to model my game after him, I try, “said the 19-year-old.
Koon, who will take the Management Economics course at Ateneo, maintained a high GPA of 4.5 in the United States.
He was drafted into the school after playing four great years at Rolling Hills Preparatory in Los Angeles, averaging 16.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. He also won John R. Wooden High School Player of the Year, CIF-SS Division 5AA Player of the Year and Coastal League Most Valuable Player, and received Division 5 First Team honors from MaxPreps. All-State.
By the time Cal Poly-Pomona looked at him, Athenaeus had already been keeping an eye on the prospect.
When he wanted a change of scenery, he had the opportunity to speak with fellow incoming Blue Eagle Dwight Ramos.
“When I was thinking about it, [Bethesda University of California assistant coach Moncho Manaloto] I made a Zoom call with Dwight and got to talk about it, talk about the lifestyle and everything that goes on, with Coach Tab and the players. It definitely helped my decision, “Koon explained.
He is also excited to play with Baldwin, who has led the school to dominate UAAP.
“Whatever I need, I feel like I can distribute it, I can bring it in. I think I’ll be able to help the team a lot and Coach Tab will definitely develop me and go through the process.”
Koon is just one of the talented players Ateneo has amassed during the offseason, which includes the return of Dave Ildefonso, Fil-Italian Gab Gomez, Fil-Kiwi Jordan Perez and Blue Eaglet Forthsky Padrigao.
“In college basketball, you always have to refresh your squad. Recruiting is obviously a very important job we have for Ateneo. It’s a job that doesn’t really end,” explained Baldwin.
“Recruiting is a never-ending effort. And it’s always a great feeling when you prioritize a great player and that player decides to come and join the program,” he added.
Koon’s mother, Iderlina, is Filipino and hails from Quezon City. She has dual citizenship and obtained her Philippine passport during her adolescence.
