Jack Animam
Jack Danielle Animam (born November 27, 1998) is a Filipina basketball player, who plays as a center[1] or forward.[2]
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Born | November 27, 1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nationality | Filipino | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
College | National University Shih Hsin University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Center | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medals
|
Early life and education
A native of Malolos, Bulacan, Jack Animam was born to Ayo Jackson Animam and Erlinda Santo Tomas. Her mother was an Overseas Filipino Worker.[3]
She reluctantly took up basketball when she was in high school and was just convinced by her school's principal to join their varsity team since they lack players. Animam's hesitation to take up the sport is due to the notion that basketball is a men's sports, and women that do play the sport are lesbians.[4]
Animam studied at the National University in Manila for her collegiate studies. She will enter the Shih Hsin University in Taiwan to earn a masters' degree as a student-athlete.[2]
College career
Animam became skilled enough to be brought to the National University by coach Patrick Aquino while she was still in high school and was included in the NU Bulldogs senior pool, since they don't have a girls' junior program.[4] She became a key player for the NU Bulldogs playing for the team for six years.[5] The Bulldogs won six straight women's basketball UAAP titles with Animam, although Animam herself did not feature in the best of three finals of UAAP Season 82 due to an eye injury.[6]
In 2019, the Shih Hsin University offered her to play for their team which competes in Taiwan's University Basketball Association.[2]
National team career
Animam has represented the Philippines, being the youngest Filipino player at the 2015 FIBA Asia Women's Championship at age 16.[3] She has played for her country in other international basketball competitions such as the 2016 SEABA Championship, and the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. At the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, Animam was two-time gold medalist helping clinch the women's team and women's 3x3 title for the Philippines.[3]
Animam is also part of the national 3x3 team which competed for the Philippines at the 2018 FIBA 3x3 World Cup[7] and the 2019 FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup.[8]
Advocacy
Animam has been an advocate for women's basketball in the Philippines, especially after her 2018 FIBA 3x3 World Cup stint. She has urged for the establishment of a women's league in the Philippines where collegiate women basketball players could continue their career.[4][9]
Awards and recognition
The Philippine Sportswriters Association conferred Animam the title of Ms. Basketball for its 2019 PSA Annual Awards Night held in early 2020. Animam is the first player to be given the recognition.[10]
References
- "Jack Danielle ANIMAM (PHI)'s profile". 2019 FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division A. FIBA. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- Giongco, Mark (July 2, 2020). "PH women's basketball star Jack Animam takes talents to Taiwan". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- Clarito, Ariel Ian (April 7, 2020). "Jack Animam: The voice of women's basketball". Rappler. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- Tantenngco, Cej (October 2, 2020). "UAAP Women's Basketball MVP Jack Animam almost never played basketball". Slam Philippines. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- Lintag, Paul Kennedy (March 25, 2020). "Ms. Basketball Jack Animam continues fight for women ballers". ABS-CBN Sports. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- Carandang, Justin Kenneth (November 23, 2019). "NU Lady Bulldogs dedicate sixth straight title to Jack Animam". GMA News. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- Li, Matthew (29 April 2018). "Afril Bernardino headlines Philippine 3×3 World Cup team". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
- "Philippines (Women) - FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2019". FIBA. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
- Lintag, Paul Kennedy (March 30, 2020). "A champion for women, Jack Animam wants ideal future for female athletes". ABS-CBN Sports. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- "Thirdy Ravena, Jack Animam to be hailed as PSA Mr. and Ms. Basketball". Tiebreaker Times. February 10, 2020. Retrieved July 2, 2020.