Andy Gemao

Andy Gemao
No. 7 – Penn State Nittany Lions
PositionPoint guard
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Personal information
Born (2006-06-26) June 26, 2006
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight170 lb (77 kg)
Career information
High schoolNSNU (Manila)
Letran (Manila)
Veritas Academy National Prep (Malibu, California)
Royal Crown (Scarborough, Ontario)
CollegePenn State (2026–present)

Apl Mcandrei "Andy" Gemao (born June 26, 2006)[1] is a Filipino high school basketball player who recently attended Royal Crown Academic School in Ontario, Canada. He is committed to playing college basketball for the Penn State Nittany Lions. He first broke out in high school playing for the Letran Squires in the juniors division of the NCAA in the Philippines, leading them to their first title in 22 years and becoming viral for his athleticism. He then played high school basketball in the US and Canada.

Early life

Gemao first played basketball at four years old, with his father Mark acting as his first coach. Aside from basketball drills, his father also put him through plyometric drills at a young age.[2]

At nine years old, Gemao began playing competitive basketball. Three years later, he competed in the Palarong Pambansa, where they won a silver medal.[2] During this time, he also played for Corpus Christi School in Cagayan de Oro, leading them to a championship in the 2018 SBP-Passerelle Mindanao Regional Finals.[3]

High school career

While he was in Manila for a Jr. NBA camp, Gemao was recruited by National University-Nazareth School (NUNS), who were led by coach Goldwin Monteverde at the time.[2] He was among the last NUNS players to be coached by Monteverde, as Monteverde left NUNS to coach the UP Fighting Maroons.[4]

Gemao then enrolled at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran to play for the Letran Squires of the NCAA's junior division.[3] The Squires were led by first-year head coach Allen Ricardo, who recruited him on the advice of Tom Chua, an assistant of Monteverde and a former high school teammate.[2] In 2023, coming off a stint with the Philippines men's national under-16 team, he made his NCAA juniors debut with 15 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block in a win over the San Sebastian Staglets.[5] He then scored a career-high 35 points in a win over the Lyceum Junior Pirates, the most points scored in the NCAA that season.[6] He then went on to lead the Squires to their first NCAA title in 22 years, averaging 17.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists as their Finals MVP while also making the Mythical Team with averages of 18.5 points, 6.9 boards, and 2.8 assists for the season.[7][8] The NBTC ranked him as the 4th-best high school player in the country.[9] Later that year, he was invited to the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Asia camp.[10]

Initially, Gemao committed to finish his senior high school years with Letran.[11] On September 20, 2023, he left Letran to try out for Veritas Academy National Prep, a Nike Elite high school in California.[12][8] He played there for his junior year, making the team's regular rotation.[13][14] In 2024, he was invited to the BWB Global Camp.[15] He then briefly returned to the Philippines to play for Fil-Nation Select in the 2024 NBTC Finals.[16] Teaming up with Terrence Hill Jr., he led them to their first NBTC title.[17]

Gemao then spent his last two years of high school with Royal Crown Academic School.[18][4] In his Grade 12 season, he led the team to a 19–2 regular-season record and earned All-OSBA Second Team honors.[19] In 2026, Gemao was invited to the Adidas Nations Tokyo Under-19 Special Camp.[20]

On May 8, 2026, Gemao received an offer from Penn State, which he accepted.[21]

National team career

In 2022, Gemao was named to the Philippines men's national under-16 team for the 2022 FIBA U16 Asian Championship.[22] At 15 years old, he was the team's youngest member.[6] In 2024, he played for the Philippine under-18 team in the 2024 FIBA U18 Asia Cup SEABA qualifiers as they swept the tournament.[23][24] Although they qualified for the FIBA U18 Asia Cup, he was not able to play due to a metacarpal fracture.[25]

References

  1. ^ "Apl Mcandrei Gemao (Philippines) - Basketball Stats, Height, Age | FIBA Basketball". www.fiba.basketball. May 16, 2026. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d Sacamos, Karlo (August 10, 2023). "NEXT GEN: Squires coach believes Andy Gemao can soar in US Division I". Spin.ph. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  3. ^ a b "VIDEO WATCH: Former Corpus Christi star Andy Gemao taking NCAA Jrs by storm - PROGRESS WATCH: Metro Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao". metrocdodev.com. February 17, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  4. ^ a b Li, Matthew (January 4, 2025). "Andy Gemao prioritizes development abroad before finalizing UP commitment". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  5. ^ Trinidad, Paolo (February 2, 2023). "This early, Allen Ricardo looks to help Andy Gemao achieve overseas dreams". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  6. ^ a b Trinidad, Paolo (February 16, 2023). "Gemao honored to play best game so far in front of hero Nambatac". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  7. ^ Cruz, Zachi (March 16, 2023). "NCAA 98: Squires end 22-year drought, give Letran rare 'double'". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  8. ^ a b Sacamos, Karlo (September 21, 2023). "Andy Gemao has a month to prove he deserves spot on US high school team". Spin.ph. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  9. ^ Times, Tiebreaker (March 7, 2023). "Jared Bahay is NBTC's top HS prospect". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  10. ^ Garcia, John Mark (June 3, 2023). "Andy Gemao, Jelomar Rota to take part in Basketball Without Borders Asia camp". Spin.ph. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  11. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (August 14, 2023). "Andy Gemao staying in Letran amid interest from UP, 3 US NCAA schools". Spin.ph. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  12. ^ Li, Matthew (September 20, 2023). "Andy Gemao leaves Letran, heads to US". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  13. ^ Luz, Cazzie (November 8, 2023). "Philippines Top H.S. player Andy Gemao is too tough. First month in the states & showing out". Ballislife.com. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  14. ^ Sayson, Homer (February 20, 2024). "COLUMN: Andy Gemao weighs options as US sojourn hits crossroads". Spin.ph. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  15. ^ Li, Matthew (February 9, 2024). "Andy Gemao receives invitation to NBA's BWB Global Camp". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  16. ^ "High school standout Andy Gemao to return to PH for 2024 NBTC". GMA News Online. January 31, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  17. ^ Anzures, Romwel (March 25, 2024). "Living and chasing the dream: What's next for Andy Gemao?". abs-cbn.com. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  18. ^ de Lunas, Champ (August 23, 2024). "PH basketball prodigy Andy Gemao to play for Toronto team". abs-cbn.com. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  19. ^ Li, Matthew (May 9, 2026). "Andy Gemao officially joins Penn State". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  20. ^ Li, Matthew (April 9, 2026). "Andy Gemao draws lessons from NBA coach, global peers in adidas Nations camp". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  21. ^ Li, Matthew (May 9, 2026). "Andy Gemao officially joins Penn State". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  22. ^ Li, Matthew (June 7, 2022). "Gilas Youth has little margin of error vs JPN, BHR in U16 Asia". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  23. ^ Li, Matthew (July 17, 2024). "Andy Gemao, Wacky Ludovice lead Gilas Boys in FIBA U18 Asia qualis". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  24. ^ Bacnis, Justine (July 21, 2024). "Andy Gemao's brilliance propels Gilas Boys to SEABA sweep, FIBA U18 Asia Cup berth". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  25. ^ Li, Matthew (September 1, 2024). "Gilas Boys face setback as Andy Gemao ruled out of FIBA U18 Asia Cup". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
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