Vanessa de Jesus
Vanessa Ongkeko de Jesus[1] (born on January 17, 2002) is a Filipino-American college basketball player.
No. 2 – Duke Blue Devils | |
---|---|
Position | Point guard |
League | Atlantic Coast Conference |
Personal information | |
Born | Northridge, California, U.S. | January 17, 2002
Nationality | Filipino / American |
Listed height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
Career information | |
High school | Sierra Canyon (Los Angeles) |
College | Duke (2020–present) |
Early life and education
Vanessa de Jesus was born on January 17, 2002 in Northridge, California with Valencia considered as her hometown.[1] Her parents Phillip and Maria de Jesus,[1] are both Filipinos.[2] She would attend Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles before entering Duke University in Durham, North Carolina for her collegiate studies.[1]
Career
College
De Jesus commited to play for the Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA Division I in May 2019 which was then under coach Joanne P. McCallie. De Jesus would only be the player who had committed to remain with the Blue Devils after McCallie left.[3]
She debuted for the team now coached by Kara Lawson[3] in November 2020, becoming the first Filipino in Duke University's women's basketball program.[4] [5][6]
National team
De Jesus has expressed interest to suit up for the Philippines national team as early as 2020.[7] She would obtain her Philippine passport in May 2023 at age 21, making her eligible to play as a "naturalized player" according to FIBA eligibility rules.[8] She debuted for the Philippines at the 2023 FIBA Women's Asia Cup.[2][9][10]
References
- "Vanessa de Jesus - 2022-23 - Women's Basketball". Duke University. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- Fuertes, Rommel Jr. (June 14, 2023). "Vanessa De Jesus commits to play for Gilas Women with 'family and basketball' in mind". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- Reyes, Kate (November 26, 2020). "Gilas Women's prospect Vanessa de Jesus makes a splash in US NCAA debut". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- Reyes, Kate (September 17, 2020). "Fil-Am De Jesus' Duke gig will open doors for Pinay ballers, says Aquino". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- Morales, Luisa (November 30, 2020). "Gilas women prospect de Jesus earns high praise from Duke coach". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- Morales, Luisa (October 22, 2021). "Duke's Vanessa De Jesus raring to represent Filipinos in US NCAA". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- Lozada, Bong (September 18, 2020). "Duke recruit Vanessa de Jesus willing to play for Gilas women". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- "Duke's Vanessa de Jesus gets PH passport, can play for Gilas Women". ABS-CBN News. May 17, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- Anzures, Rom (June 14, 2023). "De Jesus hopes to bring winning experience, relentlessness to Gilas". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- "Vanessa De Jesus savors Gilas Women debut, hopes to come back stronger vs Japan". GMA News. GMA Integrated News. June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.