Erik Spoelstra on possible Gilas stint (1:33) Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra weighs in on the possibility of coaching Gilas Pilipinas in the near-future. Cookie Policy. He talks about the stock market with Davis, discusses music interests with Lillard and banters about television shows with McCollum. THE hate and violence against the Asian community in the United States is heartbreaking for Filipino-American NBA coach Erik Spoelstra. After Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse took the reins of the Canadian national basketball team in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, a few Filipino hoop fans wondered if there was a chance Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra could do something similar for … “They identify closely with their Filipino roots,” said Tony. When Jason Shen posted a survey about discrimination in the workplace and in day-to-day life several years ago, of the 350 Asian American men who responded, 88% reported experiencing a stereotype and about one-third of the respondents said they believed they were treated worse compared to white people. Harvey Kitani spent 35 years from 1981 to 2016 as the head coach at Fairfax High School, where he led the school to four Los Angeles City Section championships and two state championships before taking on a job at Rolling Hills Prep as the school’s boys basketball coach and assistant athletic director. When he talked to me, I wasn’t going to cut him off. Filipino-American Erik Spoelstra, National Basketball Association's (NBA) "Coach Spo," who has been called the "Heart of the (Miami) Heat," has captured the heart of almost every Pinoy fan of basketball. He is the first Asian American head coach in the history of the four major American sports leagues and the first Asian American head coach to win an NBA championship. Erik Jon Spoelstra is an American professional basketball coach and the current head coach of the National Basketball Association’s Miami Heat. Erik Spoelstra is an American professional basketball coach and the current head coach of the National Basketball Association's Miami Heat. In May 2016, Spoelstra bought a house with Five-bedroom at 3720 Poinciana Avenue in $2.6 million US. Asian coaches in hoops often wonder where they belong in the conversation. Erik Spoelstra is an NBA coach who was born to a father of Dutch and Irish descent and a Filipino mother named Elisa Celino. Erik Spoelstra is a big name in the National Basketball Association (NBA). NBA coach Erik Spoelstra is married to former cheerleader Nikki Sapp, and they share two sons. On his coaching career, he leads his team to a 27-game winning streak which is second-longest in NBA history. NBA head coach who led the Miami Heat to NBA titles in 2012 and 2013. Miami Heat's Erik Spoelstra joins the growing list of famous sports personalities who are either pure or part Filipino. Wong tells the story of how members of the Pacers organization long assumed he had an engineering degree. Of Filipino descent from his mother’s side, he is the first Asian American head coach in the history of the four major North American sports leagues and the first Asian American head coach to win an NBA championship. When Spoelstra speaks about his journey from video coordinator to NBA head coach, he is quick to point out that his father, Jon Spoelstra, who is white, worked as an executive with the Buffalo Braves, Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets and New Jersey Nets. But it’s more than that to Filipinos, because the man who masterminds it all is one of their own. He became the head coach of Miami Heat in April 2008. His mother Elisa was from San Pablo, Laguna in the Philippines. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/erik-spoelstra-46386.php When Kitani was being considered for an assistant coach position at UC Santa Barbara, he felt optimistic about his chances because of the relationships he had with members of the coaching staff. “Think about just how many people, of all races, get turned down for NBA jobs,” Yim said. “The other 100 are coaches in the industry who come and have a drink to support us. Since taking over the reins as head coach at Miami Heat in 2008, Erik Spoelstra has been all about breaking records. On December 16, 2017, Miami Heat defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 90-85 and he got his 455th win as the head coach. Powered by WordPress VIP. For years, Magpayo tried to get Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra — a two-time NBA champion whose mother is of Filipino descent — to attend the event. Erik Spoelstra is one of the most respected coaches in the NBA. And while the push for equal opportunity for Black coaches in the NBA is clearly important, Asian coaches often wonder where they belong in the conversation. When Kitani first started coaching at the junior varsity level in high school, he envisioned himself moving onto the collegiate level after a decade. “But I’m turning 30 soon, and the fact that this guy sitting next to me [on the bench] is getting explanations that I’ve certainly never got, even though I’ve been coaching for longer, it makes me want to give up on the game a little bit.”. When the Brooklyn Nets hired Steve Nash as their head coach, the reaction was mixed. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has teamed with UNICEF on a public service announcement urging people to help with typhoon relief efforts in the Philippines. “We tend to be humble about our accomplishments,” Cho said. Spoelstra is Filipino-American through his mother's side - and the first Fil-Am and Asian to become the head coach of an NBA team. “We’re not expected to be in the basketball scene. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! MANILA – Erik Spoelstra, the Filipino-American head coach of Miami Heat, has never been to the Philippines since he was 3. Mike Magpayo was in Minneapolis last year for the Final Four, organizing a meetup for the Asian Coaches Association. Brendon Yu is the director of G League operations for the Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s a similar story for more experienced Asian coaches in the country. When he was an assistant coach in Miami Heat, he won the 2006 NBA Finals. Toward the end of the Mall of Asia event, he delivered a version of the spiel he closed almost all of his appearances with: “Remember, there is nothing better than being here in this open air with this ball and this basket. Date of Birth: November 1, 1970. THE hate and violence against the Asian community in the United States is heartbreaking for Filipino-American NBA coach Erik Spoelstra. “They’ll say, ‘Where’s the coach?’. Yim has aspirations of becoming an NBA head coach one day, but he is quick to point out that while Asian coaches do deal with stereotypes, rejection is part of the business. After being mentored by Hall of Famer Pat Riley and growing within the organization, Spoelstra was elevated to his current position in 2008 when Riley stepped down as Head Coach. THE hate and violence against the Asian community in the United States is heartbreaking for Filipino-American NBA coach Erik Spoelstra. “Where I coach now, the pipeline is the Asian league. Erik Spoelstra: Biography at a Glance Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra cemented his legacy by coaching the Heat to back-to-back NBA championships. “He flat-out told me, ‘You ain’t the right color.’ They said we have to get an African American guy here. ˆ Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says the NBA’sˆ first ever Filipino Heritage Week is â€⃜almost surreal’ for him and his family. Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (left) warms up with assistant coach Jonathan Yim (right). Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra is the first Filipino-American to coach in the NBA. Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images. His decorated resume includes coaching in the McDonald’s High School All American Game and spending time as a court coach with USA Basketball. Erik Jon Celino Spoelstra (/ˈspoʊlstrə/ SPOHL-strə; born November 1, 1970) is an American professional basketball coach who is the head coach for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Players have to be able to trust your intentions, and that takes time to build that.”. “It’s not just us. NBA coach Erik Spoelstra is married to former cheerleader Nikki Sapp, and they share two sons. Spoelstra, a Filipino-American who traces his roots to San Pablo, Laguna, was admittedly surprised that the Filipino Heritage Week became a league-wide event as he initially thought it would be only for the Heat. Sadly, what Erik Spoelstra’s mother did after retiring from her … “Look, I’m Asian-American, I’m proud to be Asian-American,” said Spoelstra in a media availability on Saturday (Philippine time). Erik has black hair and hazel eyes. Of Filipino descent from his mother’s side, Spoelstra is the first Asian-American head coach in the history of the four major North American sports leagues and the first Asian-American head coach to win an NBA championship. Spoelstra, after taking over as Miami’s head coach in 2008, remains the only Asian head coach in the NBA. View more / View fewer Facts of Erik Spoelstra. Their second child daughter was born in December 2019 and her name is not revealed yet. Erik’s father Jon was an NBA executive for the different teams such as Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, Buffalo Braves, and New Jersy Nets. Over the years, he’s witnessed far too many occasions with referees in his league overlooking him and speaking with his white assistant coaches instead to consider it a coincidence. Since taking over the reins as head coach at Miami Heat in 2008, Erik Spoelstra has been all about breaking records. In Minnesota, around 150 coaches showed up for the festivities. Spoelstra may not be able to single-handedly save the Philippines from its love of fried pork fat, but he certainly managed to connect with his heritage and Filipinos’ affection for basketball. Of Filipino descent from his mother's side, he is the first Asian-American head coach in the At his introductory news conference, Nash spoke about his white privilege and acknowledged the need for more diversity among head coaches in a league where more than 70% of the players are Black. He took over the Heat in 2008 shortly after Pat Riley retired in 2007. Spoelstra, the head coach of the Miami Heat, said the racism toward Asians like him is despicable. Image Source: Monica Spoelstra Metz’s Instagram. “One of my friends was an assistant there,” Kitani, 65, said. But in 2012 NBA Finals, his team Miami Heat won the match against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Stay tuned for Smart's contest with special VIP passes for Coach Spo's Executive Coaching Talk and Interactive Viewing Party as prizes. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. But Yim said he later found out from a friend that the general manager thought he was soft. Not in the near future. There’s so few of us still, it’s not something that people are used to seeing.”. Jane Hyun, an executive coach, once coined the phrase “bamboo ceiling” as a way to describe the lack of Asian Americans in leadership positions. Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra (left) with UC Riverside head coach Mike Magpayo (right). But i t has been a long time since Spoelstra last visited the home country of his mother. Several years ago, Jonathan Yim, an assistant coach with the Trail Blazers, met a general manager of another NBA team in passing. Spoelstra, who is currently coaching in his fifth NBA Finals, is cautiously optimistic there will soon be more Asian coaches across all levels of basketball. Ethnicity: Filipino, Dutch, Irish. It was unveiled even before the man of the hour, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, was called in and introduced to the press. When Cho’s family immigrated to Springfield, Oregon, he and his brother were the only Korean Americans at their school. Jun 17, 2013 - Erik Spoelstra (born November 1, 1970) is a #FilipinoAmerican professional basketball coach and the current head coach of the National Basketball Association's Miami Heat. Persistence, he says, is just as important as recognizing the real and perceived slights that Asians face. Lauren Kamiyama, the athletic director and girls varsity basketball coach at North High School in Los Angeles, believes the quality of Asian players in the region will translate into more players and coaches at various levels of basketball. American professional basketball coach, Erik Spoelstra, has an estimated net worth of $8 million. “And it’s like, no, if you accomplish something special, you have to let the world know. He doesn’t believe what some coaches and organizations might think: that an Asian coach without an extensive background as a former player can relate to guys on the team. In 1995, Spoelstra was offered a two-year contract by the Tus Hertan but he goes for the NBA’S Miami Heat offer. I feel like I’ve worked twice as hard as people in my field … I might have got opportunities because we’re not seen as at this elite level yet. He is most popular for being an American professional basketball coach for the Miami Heat.Spoelstra is the NBA’s youngest coach, yet he has blossomed as one of the best coaches in the NBA. Filipino-American NBA Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra conducts a basketball training program at a government run high school in Manila on August 4, 2011. There are millions of people who would love to be coaching in college or the NBA. Overcoming Asian stereotypes is a big part of that challenge. Erik Spoelstra’s net worth as a current head coach of the NBA’s Miami Heat is approximately $10m US. There were a few other jobs where I could read between the lines, that they weren’t going to hire an Asian guy. “I feel like anyone can relate to anybody, because there’s so many things that you can be relatable with,” Yim said. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights/Do Not Sell My Info/Children's Online Privacy Policy are applicable to you. Bobby Webster is the general manager of the Toronto Raptors. Because our Filipino pride is there right now. In December 2011, Spoelstra received a $6 million contract from Miami Heat. At the first meetup in Houston in 2012, 14 people showed up. Assistant coach Natalie Nakase (left) and Terance Mann (right) of the LA Clippers prepare before a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 1 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. It takes really uniquely persistent people,” Spoelstra said. These Asian stereotypes exist at all levels of basketball. “I wasn’t thinking about the fact that I was Asian.”. “I felt very moved to have my family and friends on hand.' Former NBA general manager Rich Cho (right) is currently the vice president of basketball strategy for the Memphis Grizzlies. The 47-year-old mentor also appreciates his Filipino heritage. But he says there is a long way to go. At the beginning of the first year as a head coach, his team had suffered from a huge loss in the previous season. Over the past decade, it has become a Final Four tradition. Erik Spoelstra and the lack of Asian coaches in the NBA. Now, Spoelstra may only be half-Filipino (his mother is pure Filipino from Laguna) but again this is the NBA, so that is already as good as it gets. The NBA champion coach took his seat, smiled at those present, and dished out a warm Filipino greeting, “Mabuhay. Biography (Age) Spoelstra was born the youngest of Jon Spoelstra and Elisa Celino’s two children, Erik Jon Spoelstra, on November 1, 1970, in Evanston, Illinois. Erik Spoelstra is a two-time National Basketball Association Championship winner and coach. Two years later, he got an opportunity to be an assistant coach as well as a video coordinator. Elisa Spoelstra mostly stays away from media attention. Erik was born Erik Jon Spoelstra, on November 1, 1970, in Evanston, Illinois, to author, sports marketer, and former ‘NBA’ executive Jon Spoelstra and his Filipino wife, Elisa Celino. Erik Spoelstra; Nationality: United States; Date of Birth: November 1, 1970; Ethnicity: Filipino, Dutch, Irish; Occupation: Professional basketball coach; Education: University of Portland (Degree in Communication) About Erik Spoelstra. Filipino Erik Spoelstra is back in the NBA Finals, This time against Lebron instead of with Lebron. “I remember thinking I wasn’t being soft. ‘The sky’s the limit’: The promising WNBA future of Awak Kuier Read now. Spoelstra’s mother, Elisa Celino, who married his father, Jon Spoelstra, is a native of San Pablo, Laguna, Philippines. Erik Spoelstra is an American professional basketball coach who is currently the head coach for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). From 1993 to 1995, he was engaged with the German professional basketball club, Tus Herten as a player-assistant coach. Spoelstra, the head coach of the Miami Heat, said the racism toward Asians like him is despicable. That’s the beauty of a sport like basketball. “They were brought up the Filipino way. “That gave me an opportunity to get my foot in the door.”. In a visit to the Philippines for the Jr. NBA/WNBA program, New Orleans Pelicans guard Norris Cole said he is excited to learn more about the culture of his former coach Erik Spoelstra. But through word-of-mouth, it has become the event to create visibility for Asian coaches. For years, Magpayo tried to get Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra — a two-time NBA champion whose mother is of Filipino descent — to attend … He isn’t shy about his role in helping to shape the basketball program at Lake Oswego, and hopes other Asian coaches follow suit. Born into a Filipino-American family in Illinois, Spoelstra excelled as a point guard during his youth, eventually accepting a scholarship at the University of Portland. As an assistant coach, he helps and contributes his strategy to his team. Miami Heat reached to 2014 NBA finals but they lose to San Antonio Spurs. Erik has 34 k followers on Twitter and 549 k on Facebook. Erik Spoelstra is a famous American basketball coach, who was born on November 1, 1970.As a person born on this date, Erik Spoelstra is listed in our database as the 28th most popular celebrity for the day (November 1) and the 72nd most popular for the year (1970). Spoelstra is the first Filipino-American to become a head coach in the NBA. You need a real job to put food on the table.’ That’s just our cultural background, which is hard to break.”. Erik Spoelstra says her superstitious Filipino mom, the former Elisa Celino, thought she was the reason why the Heat lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals. “I’m proud being a Filipino. “Yes, I hope that he will be proud of being a Filipino. Erik Spoelstra was born Erik Jon Celino Spoelstra on November 1, 1970, in Evanston, Illinois, the U.S to Jon Spoelstra and Elisa Celino. He is the first Filipino-American head coach in the NBA and North American professional sports team. Many of the coaches The Undefeated spoke to agreed that a better pipeline and more networks have to be established to achieve the goal of placing more Asian coaches at all levels. MANILA, Philippines — Erik Spoelstra is the only NBA head coach of Asian descent when he took over the position for the Miami Heat in 2008. He is the current head coach of the National Basketball Association's Miami Heat. You’re going to suffer a lot of heartbreak along the way, but your resolve has to be stronger than all of that.”. Erik Spoelstra for Gilas Pilipinas? “It really affected me,” Yim said. Before heading to the Target Center that day to coach the Heat, Spoelstra arranged a car service and spent an hour talking to coaches at the event. They shift to Portland, Oregon where he joined Raleigh Hills Elementary and Whitford jr. High School. Evin Gualberto, who grew up in the Philippines and moved to the United States when he was 16, is a basketball coach at Oakton High School in Fairfax County, Virginia. “I would love to be able to talk to owners, general managers and administrators in college, or athletic directors in high school,” Spoelstra, 49, said, “to be able to open their eyes to some very talented young coaches out here of a different ethnicity.”. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has teamed with UNICEF on a public service announcement urging people to help with typhoon relief efforts in the Philippines. “I was extremely fortunate to grow up in an NBA family,” Spoelstra said. Spoelstra merasa bahwa dukungan publik Filipina sangat berarti baginya di final kali ini. MANILA, Philippines – Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is delighted that the NBA is holding a Filipino Heritage Week for the first time. 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