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First Filipino to Play in NBA and the first Asian American ever to be drafted


A Filipino-American played in the NBA from 1978 to 1982. His name was "Raymond Townsend", the first Filipino-American and the first Asian American ever to be drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft [the first Asian American ever to be drafted was Wataru Misaka in 1947 but he was not drafted in the first round]. Townsend was drafted 22nd overall in the first round by the Golden State Warriors in the 1978 NBA Draft. A product of the legendary coach John Wooden in the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA), he only lasted three seasons in the NBA.

In 1980, Townsend and several NBA players (Jamaal Wilkes, Cliff Ray, Derrek Dickey and Greg Lee) toured the Philippines and played a series of exhibitions in Manila, Olongapo and Cebu. He left the NBA in 1981 after a short stint with the Indiana Pacers and went overseas to extend his basketball career.

Now as an assistant coach
NBA Championships: 3 (2006, 2012, 2013) [in 2006] NBA Finals Appearances: 5 (2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) NBA Eastern Conference Titles: 5 (2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) 

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