TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Brandon Gilbeck (吉爾貝克) signed a naturalization contract with the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association (中華籃協) on Monday (July 1). If approved by the Sports Administration (體育署) and the Ministry of the Interior (內政部), he will become the third naturalized player in Taiwan's men's basketball history.
Gilbeck, 27, joined the Formosa Dreamers (福爾摩沙夢想家) of Taiwan's P.LEAGUE+ in 2021. He has won the PLG's annual Block King title for three consecutive years.
This season, he also won the Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the All-Defensive First Team.
Gilbeck arrived in Taiwan early Monday and immediately signed the naturalization contract with the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association. He is expected to become the third naturalized player in Taiwan's men's basketball history, following Quincy Davis (戴維斯) and William Artino (阿提諾).
"I am interested in having the opportunity to wear the Taiwan team's battle robe," Gilbeck said. "If I can really play for the Taiwan team, it would be my honor."
Gilbeck has been selected for this year's Jones Cup (瓊斯盃) Taiwan's men's national basketball team. He will join forces with Ray Chen (陳盈駿), Benson Lin (林庭謙), Gavin Liu (劉錚), and Riven Ma (馬建豪) from the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Their goal is the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers (2025亞洲盃男籃資格賽) at the end of the year.