On Thursday, the Houston Rockets selected Jalen Green with the second overall pick, making him the highest-drafted Asian American player of all time.

Forgoing the traditional college ball route to play for the G League Ignite, Green averaged 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 15 games this past season.

“I love the Phillipines. They show love and support. I’m just happy I get to represent them, I hope they’re excited,” said Green, who becomes just the third player of Filipino heritage in NBA history.

A native of Merced, California, Green was born to an African American father and a part-Filipino mother. In 2019, Green returned to the Phillippines to play in the National Basketball Training Center Finals as a member of FilAm Sports.

Green is expected to be a key player in the Houston Rockets’ post-James Harden era, as the team begins the process of rebuilding its roster.