The burden of the 'Hagop Rule'

For every Gilas fan, two words have become the bane of their existence: Hagop Rule.

The Hagop Rule is named after FIBA Asia executive director Hagop Khajiran. To simplify and relate to our national team, it is the rule that requires the passport before a player reaches 16 years old. This rule excluded players such as Christian Standhardinger, Stanley Pringle, and even Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz and Remy Martin, who transferred to Kansas after a remarkable run in Arizona State.