AJ Edu, the promising six-foot-ten Batang Gilas big man, has been chosen to be part of the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp organized by the National Basketball Association and FIBA.
The annual camp, now on its fourth year, will feature 65 top high school male and female players from 36 countries and will take place from February 16 to 18 at the Los Angeles Lakers' practice facility during NBA All-Star Weekend.
Edu was among 41 teenage male players who were chosen. They, along with 24 female players, will get to be trained by NBA stars Al Horford, Goran Dragic, Domantas Sabonis, Timofey Mozgov, and Sam Dekker.
"Players and coaches will lead the campers through a variety of activities on and off the court, including movement efficiency, positional skill development, shooting and skills competitions, 5-on-5 games, and daily life skills seminars focusing on health, leadership and communication," said the NBA in a press statement. "One boy and one girl will be named BWB Global Camp MVPs at the conclusion of the three-day camp.
"The camp will be officiated by representatives from the NBA's Referee Development Program, which provides rising professionals and former players with the skills necessary to pursue a career as a referee in the NBA, WNBA or NBA G League."
The camp will be run by several NBA assistant coaches and former head coaches who will serve as camp directors, including 1992 Dream Team assistant P.J. Carlesimo and 1980 Lakers champion coach Paul Westhead.
Aside from being trained by NBA players and coaches, the campers will also get to watch several All-Star Weekend activities, including the Mtn Dew Kickstart Rising Stars, State Farm NBA All-Star Saturday, and the All-Star Game itself set on Feb. 18 (19 in Manila) at the Staples Center.
Edu was part of the Philippine team that placed seventh in the 2017 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Chengdu, China. He attended one Gilas practice prior to that and impressed the coaches with his height and athleticism. He was also recently named to the Gilas 23 for '23 team comprised on the country's best young players who will form the pool for the Gilas team to the 2023 FIBA World Cup.