Kai Ballungay
| No. 10 – Phoenix Fuel Masters | |
|---|---|
| Position | Power forward / center |
| League | PBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | November 16, 2001 |
| Nationality | Filipino / American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | John C. Kimball |
| College | Stanislaus State Ateneo |
| PBA draft | 2024 Round: 1 / Pick: 4th overall |
| Selected by the Phoenix Fuel Masters | |
| Playing career | 2024–present |
| Career history | |
| 2024–present | Phoenix Fuel Masters |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
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Kainoa Ballungay (born November 16, 2001) is a Filipino-American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Fuel Masters of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
In high school, Ballungay played for the John C. Kimball High School Jaguars. To begin his college career, he played for the California State University, Stanislaus (Stanislaus State) Warriors before making the move to Ateneo de Manila University to play for the Blue Eagles for the remainder of his college career. He won a championship with the Blue Eagles in 2022 during UAAP Season 85.
In 2024, during the PBA season 49 draft, he was selected fourth overall by the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
He also represented the United States in the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup.[1]
College career
As a freshman, Ballungay began his collegiate career with the Stanislaus State Warriors. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has thought about moving his collegiate career to the Philippines, which later came to fruition on July 26, 2021, when he transferred to the Ateneo Blue Eagles.[2] Coincidentally, Ballungay faced against Ateneo in the 2019 NBTC National Finals round-of-16 while representing the Filipino-American team.[3][4] He was part of the team that won the UAAP title in Season 85 (2022).[5][6]
Professional career
Phoenix Fuel Masters (2024–present)
On July 5, 2024, Ballungay declared for the PBA season 49 draft, where he was then selected fourth overall by the Phoenix Fuel Masters.[7][8] He then signed a three-year deal with Phoenix on July 31.[9]
Personal life
Kai's father, Miles Ballungay, is a Filipino from Hawaii while his grandmother comes from Ilocos Norte.[1] On December 27, 2022, he got married to Bella Dahl.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Olivares, Rick (2019-03-19). "Meet Fil-American hoops sensation Kai Ballungay". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
- ↑ "Ateneo beefs up roster with commitment of Fil-Ams Kai Ballungay, Andrew Bongo". GMA News Online. 2021-07-26. Retrieved 2025-02-28.
- ↑ "Green outduels Sotto, FilAm Sports ousts Ateneo in 2019 NBTC Nationals". RAPPLER. 2019-03-20. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
- ↑ Li, Matthew (2021-07-26). "Ateneo gets its Kai as Ballungay transfers from Stanislaus State". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
- ↑ Navarro, June (2022-12-19). "Ateneo reclaims UAAP title, fends off UP in thrilling finale". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Demigillo, Kiko (2022-12-27). "Kai Ballungay gets two rings in 2022". onesports.ph. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
- ↑ Ganglani, Naveen (2024-07-05). "UAAP champion Kai Ballungay declares for 2024 PBA Draft". ALL-STAR. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
- ↑ Fuertes Jr., Rommel (2024-07-14). "PBA: Phoenix adds to versatility by picking Kai Ballungay". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
- ↑ Ramos, Gerry (2024-07-31). "Phoenix signs rookie Kai Ballungay to a three-year contract". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
External links
This article "Kai Ballungay" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Kai Ballungay. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
- 2001 births
- 21st-century Filipino sportsmen
- American men's basketball players
- Ateneo Blue Eagles men's basketball players
- Centers (basketball)
- Filipino men's basketball players
- Filipino people of American descent
- Phoenix Fuel Masters draft picks
- Phoenix Fuel Masters players
- Power forwards
- Stanislaus State Warriors men's basketball players
