Kobe Bryant had his picture-perfect fadeaway jump shot, Hakeem gave us the fundamentally perfect Dream Shake, and Allen Iverson became iconic for the killer crossover. But, there seems to be a new move that is being used by almost everyone in the world – the Pinoy Step. You have seen this one on pickup game highlights, tutorial videos, and even in the NBA. However, who started the Pinoy Step and why is it so famous?
What is the “Pinoy Step”?
The Pinoy Step (sometimes called the Yugo Step or Gather Step by some) is a basketball move which is inspired by the iconic Euro Step. Just like its predecessor, the Pinoy Step aims to redirect the opponents by switching directions immediately after taking the first two steps. But, in the popular Filipino version, the player will lay a hard pump fake on the gather while slightly floating in the air. If a defender takes the bait, it’s going to be an easy route for the one attacking the rim. Afterward, the player can proceed with a step-through and finish in different ways – dunk, layup, reverse layup, or a floater.
@peterdanyliv S/O to 🇵🇭 for this move🔥🎒
Who started the infamous Pinoy Step?
Honestly, this move has been used by many ballers throughout the years. It can easily be misidentified as the casual Euro step move. However, the Pinoy Step is a bit different when you look at it clearly. Although it’s obvious that the Filipinos did not invent this basketball trick, it has become more popular after many Pinoy cagers have used it in highlight reels. One of the most famous hoopers to make the most out of the Pinoy Step is no other than Filipino rising star, Ricci Rivero. The 2023 PBA 17th overall draft pick has been busting the move since his college days and has even used it on the international stage.
Another Filipino player we could associate with this move is Kiefer Ravena. Ravena is a Gilas Pilipinas stalwart who now plays in Japan B.League. The former Ateneo Blue Eagle is a great point guard and at only 6 feet tall, it’s not odd why he likes to use the Pinoy Step. That being said, we have no definite answer of who really made this effective basketball move. What we could say though is that it may not be originating from the Philippines, but it definitely is a play that Filipinos embraced and popularized and has now reached global stardom.
NBA players now putting the Pinoy Step in their arsenal of moves
Would it surprise you if NBA stars are now also using the Pinoy Step in actual games? Well, you shouldn’t! All-Stars like Tyrese Haliburton and Zach LaVine are spotted adding this to their deep bag. More times than not, Haliburton and LaVine put their defenders on skates for an easy bucket. Just a year ago, LaVine added the Pinoy Step after learning about it as he thinks it is a “good little trick”.
“It started in the beginning of the year, when I didn’t have my athleticism, I had to find a way to finish around the rim against big guys,” LaVine said. “So throwing fake passes, ball fakes and messing the defender’s timing up essentially.”
The Pinoy Step definitely reached greater heights after it is now seen in the NBA and American pickup games. Other professional players like Mac McClung and Ben McLemore has also tried this one and were even successful.
Pinoy step by Ben Mac? 🙌 #TrailBlazersPH pic.twitter.com/sOJ3ZoQfoB
— Portland Trail Blazers Philippines (@trailblazersph) March 20, 2022
