Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is looking forward to returning to the Philippines.
The Filipino-American coach, who has been to the country numerous times, will make another visit when the Philippines hosts the 2023 FIBA World Cup along with Japan and Indonesia.
Spoelstra is an assistant coach of the US men's basketball team, which is headed by Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, and was recently named as one of the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history.
"We're going out there [to the Philippines]. That's one of the first things I heard about when we talked about this next segment for Team USA, so we will be out there," he said at the 2022 All-Star Media Day on Sunday (PHT).
"I had goosebumps when I found out that the World Championships will be there. It will be fun."
The Americans last won the FIBA World Cup in 2014 in Spain. In the 2019 edition in China, Team USA was eliminated in the quarterfinals and finished in seventh place.
Spoelstra also shared how ecstatic he is to see a hoops-crazy nation like the Philippines get the opportunity to host the biggest basketball competition in the world.
"I am really grateful that everybody will be able to see Manila and just the enthusiasm worldwide for basketball," he said.
"The fanbase there is good as anywhere in the world, and I'm just thrilled everybody will be able to see that."
Spoelstra, whose Miami Heat hold a 38-21 record in the Eastern Conference, is currently in Cleveland to participate in the NBA All-Star Game as the head coach of Team Durant.
He last coached in the All-Star Game in 2013.
