Alapag waxes nostalgic over Sacramento stint

NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag looks back fondly on his stint with the Sacramento Kings, particularly the opportunity to work alongside National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar Russell Westbrook and former coach Mike Brown.

Alapag, who served as a player-development coach with the Kings from 2023 to 2026, said the experience gave him a firsthand look at the discipline that has sustained Westbrook throughout his NBA career.

“It’s amazing looking back at last season with Sacramento, not knowing that it was going to be Westbrook since last season, but to have an opportunity to be around one of the all-time greats and really just see the day-to-day preparation and discipline,” Alapag told ESPN reporters Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon during an episode of the “Hoop Collective.”

“I think he’s got to be one of the best-conditioned 37, 38-year-olds that I’ve ever seen.”

But for Alapag, Westbrook’s impact went beyond basketball.

“And on top of that, just an incredible person in terms of his character — as a husband, as a father, as a teammate,” Alapag said.

“To be able to meet an all-time great and spend time with him and learn that side of him, aside from the legend, was special.”

Alapag also credited Brown for playing a significant role in his coaching journey, noting that the veteran mentor was the first NBA coach to give him an opportunity to join his staff.

Brown went on to win an NBA championship with the New York Knicks last June.

“Coach Brown has a very special place within my heart because he was the first one to give me an opportunity to move up to his staff in the NBA. So I’m forever grateful to Coach Brown,” Alapag said.

“I couldn’t be happier for someone who has been through a lot. To finally win the championship in New York, no less.”

Alapag brought the lessons from his three-year NBA stint back to the PBA, where he is now guiding NLEX through another strong campaign.

The Road Warriors currently lead Group A with a 7-2 win-loss record, with Alapag drawing from his experience around some of the NBA’s biggest names as he continues to build his coaching career in the Philippines.