Highly touted Andy Gemao is headed to the US NCAA Division I after all.
On Friday night, Gemao took to Instagram to share news that he has officially received an offer to play for the Penn State Nittany Lions men’s basketball team. “Extremely honored to be offered by Penn State MBB. Thank you to the coaching staff for the opportunity!” wrote Gemao, who saw action in the Asiabasket NSAC 2023. He memorably suited up against the Benilde Blazers and finished with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in a winning effort.
A few hours later, the athletic guard formally accepted the offer, confirming he will take his talents to Penn State starting next season.
Andy Gemao Ready to Blaze a Trail
By committing, Andy Gemao now joins Japeth Aguilar (Western Kentucky Hilltoppers) and Kobe Paras (Creighton Bluejays) as one of only a few homegrown Filipino hoopers who’ll have experience in US NCAA Division I basketball.
Gemao will also be following in the footsteps of PBA great Stanley Pringle, who played for the Nittany Lions for two seasons from 2007 to 2009. In his last season, he helped Penn State win the National Invitation Tournament after averaging 12.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 45.3% from the field and 45% from three.
Broadly, Gemao now joins a select group of players—pure or half-blood—with US NCAA Division I experience. Aside from Pringle, Paras, and Aguilar, these players include Jordan Clarkson (Tulsa Golden Hurricane and Missouri Tigers), Gabe Norwood (George Mason University Patriots), Remy Martin (Arizona State Sun Devils and Kansas Jayhawks), Dwight Ramos (Cal State Fullerton Titans), Christian Standhardinger (Nebraska Huskers and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors), Chris Ross (Marshall Thundering Herd), and Marcio Lassiter (Cal State Fullerton).
International Experience for Andy Gemao
Andy Gemao’s adjustment figures to be seamless. That’s because the former Letran Squire has extensive international experience already. He played for the Royal Crown Lions in Ontario, Toronto, Canada, where he earned All-OSBA Second Team honors.
Additionally, in 2023, he played for Veritas Academy National Prep in Malibu, California. Crucially, Gemao has national team experience as he represented Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup in 2024.
