Last week, Nerlens Noel flew halfway across the globe to serve as a guest coach at the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2015 National Training Camp in Manila. On his way to the airport to return to Philadelphia on Sunday, I was able to talk to Nerlens about his experience at the camp and his goals for next season.

Max Rappaport, Sixers.com: Was it a bit of a culture shock at all? Did you get to sightsee, or was it mostly just work?

Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers: “I definitely feel it was a culture shock. You know, especially going back to Haiti like I have last summer and seeing the conditions there, I think it was very similar. You know, just seeing all the progression they’re making in the Philippines, with their economy going up and all the new developments they’re making, it’s definitely great to see.”

MR: I know the Philippines is pretty NBA crazy. What was their reaction to seeing you, the campers?

NN: “They were definitely showing some shock. They were definitely surprised, and you do see how much they pay attention to NBA basketball and keep up with it, so that was great to see."



The Philippines is incredible! Thanks @NBA_Philippines 4 giving me the opportunity to work with these amazing kids! pic.twitter.com/bohH62I412 — Nerlens Noel (@NerlensNoel3) April 25, 2015

MR: How important is it to you to use your status as a player to help better kids’ lives and make an impact?

NN: “I think it’s very important. Especially to use my status to give the right message to these young kids, because they’re the next generation. And you always want them to see the positives in things and tell the next generation of kids when they’re older that they’ve got to set the path right and instill a hard work ethic in them so that they can be on the right path to success.”

MR: Do you remember a time when you were a kid or maybe when you were at college when a player reached out to you in a way that meant something?

NN: “Probably the first time I met Kevin Garnett. I met him when I was in high school. My AAU team used to practice at the Celtics’ facility, so I was able to meet KG on my way out of practice. He just told me, ‘Good luck with everything,’ and he gave me a couple words of advice. And that was probably one of the times where I felt influenced by someone that really did it, and it really motivates you and helps you.”

MR: So what’s next for you? Are you going back to Boston, are you staying in Philly for a bit?

NN: “I’m going to Philly now, just for a couple days, and then I’ll probably be going to the Kentucky Derby.”

MR: So what does it look like for you getting back on the court? Do you just take some time off to kind of rest and then get back, or are you going to do some stuff when you’re down in Lexington?

NN: “I did some stuff here in Philippines, so I’m definitely going to stay on track, and stay fit, and stay to my diet, continuing to eat right, lift right, and put on size. That’s a nonstop thing. Just staying with it.”

MR: Would you say that your biggest goal for the offseason is to put on weight?

NN: “Yeah, I definitely would say that’s my biggest goal along with continuing to work on my skillset. But I think working on my body will be an around-the-clock thing that I’ll have to be fully conscious of, and I have been.”

MR: So what does a day look like for you in terms of what you’re eating?

NN: “Just eating four times a day, minimum. Eating heavy calories, a lot of shakes, and just continuing to stay with the weight lifting. They compliment each other in helping size come on a lot faster.”

MR: How exciting is it to finally be able to play with Joel Embiid coming up, and what do you think the two of you need to add to your games to make the pairing work?

NN: “I’m ecstatic to play with Joel. I think it’s going to be something special. The chemistry we already have, and we haven’t even been on the court together, is something that’s great to have. I think things we need to work on, me personally, I need to continue to work on the shooting and be able to spread the floor a little bit, be able to knock down a 15-footer with more consistency. And as time goes on, I think Joel’s going to be good. He already has touch around the basket, and he can extend his game out to 15-footers, so I think it’s going to be very complimentary. Both of us having the ability to pass the ball, I think that’s going to be something that people don’t know too much about that’s going to help us a lot.”

MR: While you were in Manila, the news broke that you became the first rookie since Iman Shumpert in 2012 to receive a Defensive Player of the Year vote. How exciting was that?

NN: “I was hoping I’d get more consideration, but I guess if rookies don’t ever get consideration, I guess I feel good about that… It was just one vote – I felt it should have been more (laughs), but just being able to be in the conversation at all, just having that acknowledgement early on in my career, I think it just opens up doors and sets up a bright future.”



The takeover continues as @NerlensNoel3 makes a surprise visit to the Globe Store in Mall Of Asia. @NBA_Philippines pic.twitter.com/FizDZQefmy — Globe Telecom (@enjoyGLOBE) April 26, 2015

MR: Looking back at the season, what would you say was your biggest accomplishment?

NN: “I think I’m most proud of being able to establish myself in the league and making a splash in the league. Being able to set yourself to that bunch of guys, and building my confidence was another thing I was proud of, especially from the first half to the second half. Having that confidence in the NBA is big, as you get better and better. I think it’s something that’s very contagious to your teammates as you become more of a leader. And especially my growth being a leader. You know, I think the first half I was still new to things and being able to adjust and transition to the NBA [and] was actually playing as opposed to last year when I wasn’t.”