The Naturalization Process

At least 17 Asian countries are known to have naturalized foreign-born athletes without ethnic heritage to play in FIBA-sanctioned competitions.

- By JOAQUIN M. HENSON

The naturalization process may or may not be tedious. In some countries, it only takes a presidential or a Ministry of Sports decree. In the Philippines, it requires a process where the House of Representatives and Senate are involved in investigating the basis of naturalization before approval or rejection.

In the US, the agency that processes naturalization cases is the US Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS. An athlete confirmed to be of exceptional talent is given the opportunity to be naturalized. Nigeria's Hakeem Olajuwon and Cameroon's Joel Embiid were naturalized, leading to their eligibility to represent the US. There are other requirements like minimum years of residency.