National Basketball Association (NBA) legend Jason Kidd believes Filipino coaches need more than an impressive résumé to land an NBA coaching staff spot.

Speaking to the media in Taguig City on Wednesday, the 2011 NBA champion said the NBA Summer League offers Filipino coaches an ideal avenue to showcase their tactical knowledge while building relationships that could eventually lead to opportunities with any of the 30 teams in the world’s premier basketball league.

Kidd, who had coaching stints with the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks, is in the country for NBA House Philippines 2026 alongside WNBA legend Lauren Jackson and four-time NBA champion Tony Parker.

“Being able to reach out to the NBA, different NBA teams and affiliates, and work some of the Summer League. I would say volunteer, if you can, for Summer League, to be able to see the game, but also build relationships,” Kidd said.

“I think the world is built on relationships and so, having that opportunity to work a Summer League, from here, being able to come back and use that knowledge for whatever team you coach here locally. Then to continue to keep working on your craft, but continue to keep asking, ‘Can I come to the States and coach?’”

Kidd’s advice has already been followed by several Filipino coaches who have made their way into the NBA environment.

NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag served as an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings in the Summer League from 2019 to 2021, an opportunity that came through his connection with former Kings vice president of basketball operations and general manager Vlade Divac in the FIBA Players’ Commission.

Alapag later became a player development coach for Sacramento from 2023 to 2026, working under Mike Brown and Doug Christie.

Gilas Pilipinas and PBA coaching legend Tim Cone also got a taste of the NBA Summer League in 2022 when he served as an assistant coach for the Miami Heat.

Former Blackwater tactician Ariel Vanguardia likewise joined the Atlanta Hawks’ coaching staff for the 2024 Summer League, working with then-No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher of France.