Here’s the full story behind the SHOCKING NBA rule that makes Kevin “KQ” Quiambao eligible to be signed by any NBA team right now, with no draft required—and why this matters:
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What the NBA’s loophole actually says
According to the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, any player deemed an international is automatically eligible for the NBA Draft in the calendar year they turn 22, regardless of whether they declare or not .
For KQ, this is crucial:
Born April 22, 2001, he is 24 in 2025, clearly over the 22-year threshold .
He’s been playing professionally overseas since 2024 (in South Korea’s KBL) .
He’s also fulfilled the definition of an international player—developed abroad, never attended U.S. high school or college .
This trio of conditions—age, pro experience overseas, international status—automatically qualifies him for the draft, even though he never declared. If he goes undrafted, he instantly becomes an unrestricted free agent, able to negotiate with any NBA team .
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Why most fans don’t know this
Automatic eligibility is silent. KQ never entered his name or held a declaration announcement—but the league’s rule sweeps him into the pool anyway.
International players and automatic age-based rules are nuanced—U.S. fans seldom encounter these complexities .
Media coverage focuses on draft declarations, leaving these edge cases unreported—unless a savvy insider or international fan points it out.
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Who is Kevin “KQ” Quiambao?
A 4-time UAAP MVP and Finals MVP, KQ dominated at De La Salle University .
Signed with Goyang Sono Skygunners in the Korean Basketball League in late 2024—and posted stellar numbers (16.9 pts, 6.3 rebs, 3.9 asts) .
At 24 and playing overseas, he checks every box for international draft eligibility.
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KQ’s NBA pathway now
1. Automatically draft-eligible at age 22+, no declaration required.
2. If not selected in the draft, he becomes a completely unrestricted free agent .
3. He’s already in the U.S., training for Summer League with the Sacramento Kings, guided by former Gilas star Jimmy Alapag .
4. He can now sign with any NBA team, negotiate like any free agent, and chase a Summer League invite or two-way deal immediately.
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Why this is groundbreaking
No draft, no waiting: At 24, KQ bypasses the entire draft weekend drama—no lottery, no picks, no RFA restrictions.
Strategic flexibility: Every NBA team can now present him with a clean, direct offer.
New precedent potential: Filipino fans are buzzing—KQ could become the first pure Filipino NBA player .
Rookie financing advantage: Signing as a free agent allows teams to manage cap and roster slots more creatively than via rookie scale contracts.
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The Final Word
Thanks to the NBA’s automatic eligibility clause for international players over 22, Kevin “KQ” Quiambao is legally an NBA free agent right now—and he didn’t even need to be drafted.
He’s already in the mix, showcasing his game, earning training opportunities, and available for any team to sign immediately. If he performs in the Summer League, all bets are off—this could be the new template for international standouts over 22 to jump strai
ght into the NBA.
**KQ just broke the system—in the best way possible.**
