If you build it, they will come. Or so the saying goes.

Former NBA basketball player fined by Vietnamese club
That theory will soon be put to the test, as pro basketball is set to kick off in Vietnam with the arrival of the Saigon Heat. What makes this more interesting is that the nation’s first international pro sports team is not playing soccer, easily the most popular spectator sport here.

After starting discussions with the AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) more than a year ago, the Saigon Sports Academy set about building the team in earnest in mid-2011. A mix of local players, hoopsters from around the region and American pros, the team is looking not only to win on the court against teams from all over Southeast Asia, but with domestic fans as well.

SSA Chairman Hoang Nguyen likes the team’s chances as it looks to grow interest in the team as well as the sport in general in this non-traditional market.

“I know we have a lot of challenges ahead of us, but I’m excited about the players we have,” Nguyen said at a recent press conference. “We want to inspire young basketball players and athletes to be the best they can be.”

The range in talent on the squad ranges from domestic athletes with no international experience to the likes of Julius Hodge, formerly with the NBA’s Denver Nuggets. As an expansion team, the players will likely look to Hodge for guidance with this young, raw squad.

“I’ve been taking Vietnamese lessons,” Hodge said, with words like pass, shoot, and pick-and-roll being key soundbites on the court. “I pride myself on being a leader.”

For players like Trieu Han Minh, who recently represented Vietnam at the SEA Games in Indonesia, the experience will be helpful both in his pro career and playing for his country.

“We learn a lot about English techniques,” Trieu said. “The strategies are different.”

The Saigon Heat will have their work cut out for them January 15, opening the season against the ABL champion Chang Thailand Slammers. Saigon’s first game will be contested January 25 at Tan Binh Sports and Culture Center against the Singapore Slingers.

SGT