NBA legend Jason Kidd during his visit to Manila for the NBA House Philippines. –NBA PH PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Jason Kidd was honored to experience a basketball-passionate country like the Philippines as he joined fellow NBA point guard Tony Parker and WNBA legend Lauren Jackson in the launch of NBA House on Saturday at One Ayala in Makati.

Despite the inclement weather, Filipinos arrived at the opening of NBA House as early as 10 a.m. and stayed until the celebrity exhibition game coached by Kidd and Parker.

“The energy. The love of basketball, as much as we love it, you could see the Filipinos love the game of basketball and can play the game at a very high level so we’re very excited to be here,” said Kidd.

WATCH: Jason Kidd signs autographs and meets Filipino hoops fans during the opening of NBA House Philippines. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/nrbvDK9YxE

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) August 29, 2026

Parker and Jackson also took time to hold a brief basketball clinic for the young Filipino kids.

Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala and NBA champion Jordan Clarkson of the New York Knicks also gave a surprise video greeting to kick off the event.

“Hello NBA House Manila! I’m so excited to be in this guy’s presence (Clarkson),” said Eala. “Sending love back home.”

WATCH: Alex Eala and Jordan Clarkson greet the Filipino fans. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/9u1FZKvJRy

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) August 29, 2026

Kidd, a 10-time All-Star and second all-time in assists with 12,091, shared that his most memorable moments in the NBA were getting drafted, when he realized his dream of making it to the league, and winning a championship with the Dallas Mavericks.

Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki overcame the Miami Heat, featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, in the 2011 Finals.

The Hall of Famer attributed his success to Gary Payton, who became his mentor.

“If you have great teammates who want to score the ball, my job is easy. But I think being able to listen to the guys who played the game before me,” said Kidd. “So my mentor was Gary Payton, being able to listen to him, watch him because he played at the highest level, that was my dream was to be able to get to that level and so being able to have great people around me, I listened and then I tried to apply and I worked at it and I got lucky.”

After his storied career as a player, Kidd went into coaching, working with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks before winning the 2020 NBA bubble championship as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers, led by James and Anthony Davis.

His most recent coaching stint was with the Mavericks, where he steered Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to the 2024 NBA Finals before falling to the Boston Celtics.