The quest for the next Filipino in the NBA is like hunting a unicorn: We know it's easy and doable, but at the same time, we also know that it is unreal.
That's why when Johnny Abarrientos was reported to have been spotted by the Charlotte Hornets two decades ago, or when Japeth Aquilar displayed his raw athleticism before a handful of NBA last year, nobody was shocked by the sorry news that followed.
True enough, the fate suffered by Abarrientos and Aguilar means one thing: The Filipinos are not yet ready for the NBA. Or to sweeten it up: The NBA is not yet ready for the Filipinos.
But in a quiet neighborhood somewhere in Corona, California, a Filipino-American playmaker is slowly making a name for himself.
Born to former San Diego State star Ray Barefield and his Filipina wife, Kat, 6-foot-2 Sedrick Barefield has that boyish looks that hardly reflect the swagger of an American superstar. Online research suggests that he is shy, gentle, soft-spoken and very family-oriented, a trait common to Filipino teens.
"My dad really gave me the basics of dribbling," said Barefield in a previous interview. "He gave me the basics of basketball. He gave me the simple things, and as I started getting older, I started putting it all together to create any type of move. So I really don’t have a favorite move right now. I just try to see stuff as they happen."
On the court, Barefield transforms into a beast. In fact, he posted 29 points and 10 assists in Corona Centennial's 81-77 win over Loyola. And it was quickly followed by an impressive 21-point effort in Centennial's 80-73 win over Chino Hills for the Southern California Regional title.
He was also named as Co-Most Valuable Player together with Ethan Alvano of Corona, making him one of the hottest names in high school basketball. And in the latest national ranking by Rivals.com, Barefield was ranked 14th best in the country while well-respected ESPN pegs him as the 41st best high school point guard in the entire United States. According to a recruiting website, Barefield is a "monster in the open floor" who can thrives more on his ball handling and court vision to spot the open man.
“His strongest attribute might be his ability to run a team to perfection. He has good pace to his game and has the basketball IQ to put his team in position to win,” said Future150 in its scouting report.
"Barefield still needs to improve on his shot selection, especially as he has a tendency to dominate the ball at times. The point guard also needs to work on his strength and lateral quickness in an effort to improve as a defender," added the website, who ranked him as the ninth best point guard in the recruiting class of 2015.
He had also shut the doors for big-time programs like University of Connecticut, Boston College, Memphis and Kansas State as he already committed to Southern Methodist University, a program being handled by the legendary Larry Brown -- the genius who turned good playmakers like Mark Jackson, Allen Iverson and Chauncey Billups into Hall of Fame candidates.
“He’s always wanted to play at a big school. He’s always wanted to play Division I basketball. You can’t ask for more as a mom if he actually gets the chance to go,” said his mother, who confirmed that she is a full-blooded Filipino.
The doors of the NBA may be shut for the Filipinos for now, but Barefield offers a feel-good story about hope and advancing one's dream no matter what race he came from. It's all about heart, will and desire.
And yes, it's just a matter of time before another Filipino could make it to the NBA. The mystical basketball unicorn is finally about to get caught.
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