Prosper eyes gold in SEA Games

MANILA, Philippines — Former PBA import Lester Prosper will be back as Indonesia’s naturalized import in bidding to retain the gold medal in men’s basketball at the SEA Games in Cambodia starting next week. Prosper failed to get his citizenship papers in order for the 2019 SEA Games and lost his spot to Marcus Bolden in the 2021 edition where Indonesia dethroned the Philippines. But he saw action in four games with Indonesia in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, averaging 22 points and 11 rebounds and two contests in the World Cup 2023 Asian qualifiers, averaging 10 points and three rebounds.

Prosper, 34, downplayed Indonesia’s chances to keep the throne, insisting the national team is almost brand new. “It’s young guys,” he said. “You don’t even know them. It’s a whole new team. I don’t know if (Brandon) Jawato is coming. (Anthony) Beane hurt his shoulder. I might be out there alone with the younger guys. Tell Gilas to take it easy. It might be just me out there.”

Prosper said he arrived late for the team’s training camp in Australia from April 4 to 24. Serbian coach Milos Pejic brought 15 players to camp in preparation for the SEA Games. Before the Hanoi SEA Games, the team also trained in Australia so Pejic hopes the return trip will produce the same result. “We want to defend the gold medal,” said Indonesian Basketball chairman Danny Kosasih. “For that, we need to do the best preparation. That is why we returned to Australia where basketball is at world level.”

Prosper said his dream is to add a championship to his resume. “Hope I can get a chance to grab gold,” he said. “It’ll mean a lot to the fans who supported me through the down times and also the fans in the Philippines that I’ve visited and spent time with and also the charity work that I’ve done in the community. It will mean a lot for me to finally win something after all the hard work I’ve put in.” Prosper has played two conferences with the Terrafirma franchise in the PBA and in the EASL Terrific 12 with San Miguel Beer in 2019.  He has suited up in Sweden, Slovakia, Canada, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Russia, UK, Spain, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Venezuela, Panama, Taiwan and Korea aside from Indonesia and the Philippines. The only championship he has won came in 2010 with Old Westbury in the NCAA D-3 Skyline Conference.

“We’re missing a few guys but we’ll give it our best shot,” he said. “Coach (Pejic) is amazing. Very respectful guy, comes to the players and interacts with them like men. I respect that. Our chances to keep gold? Not sure. We’ll just work and try to do our best.”