MIAMI (United States) – For Koby Brea, wearing the Dominican Republic jersey has meant much more than simply playing international games. His experience marked an important stage of his development and, even now, as he works to establish himself in the NBA, continues to hold a special place in his career. The Dominican guard previously represented his country in FIBA youth competitions, including the Centrobasket U17 Championship in 2019. During an interview with FIBA Americas, he said that representing the national team is a tremendous source of pride and motivation as he continues to take important steps in his career.
"It's something really big because I know how much support I'm getting from all Dominicans and what it means to my family. Just receiving that support and knowing that I'm representing the Dominican Republic is something that's very important to me. I want to keep representing my country and do it to the best of my ability," Brea said. His comments come as the Dominican Republic prepares for the Second Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers, where the Caribbean nation will look to secure another appearance on the world stage. Although Brea did not speak specifically about a future call-up, he made it clear that his connection with the national team remains as strong as ever.
This summer I changed my eating habits and my training routine.
That connection began with his first experiences wearing the Dominican jersey. For the sharpshooter, competing internationally at a young age allowed him to face new challenges and develop skills that he still relies on at the highest level. "When I played for the Dominican Republic, it was the first time I had played with a completely different group of people I didn't know. That opportunity allowed me to experience what it's like to play with different teammates and, in a very short amount of time, adapt and play together on the court," he explained. That experience proved to be the ideal preparation for the next chapters of his career. After his time in FIBA youth basketball, Brea continued his development in the NCAA, first at Dayton and later at Kentucky, where he reinforced his reputation as one of the best three-point shooters in college basketball before being selected by the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the NBA Draft. Now, Brea is focused on establishing himself at the professional level. During the 2026 NBA Summer League, he showed flashes of his offensive potential, averaging 7.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in five games. His best performance came against the Milwaukee Bucks, when he scored 19 points and knocked down six three-pointers, showcasing the shooting ability that has defined his career.
However, Brea believes his biggest improvement cannot always be measured by statistics. "My biggest focus this summer has been mentally and physically. I changed my eating habits and my training routine. They're a lot of small things, but they make a huge difference for a player," he said. That growth has also involved improving his physical condition and changing habits away from the court. "I'm eating healthier, paying attention to what I'm putting into my body and understanding how important that is. I'm focused on becoming quicker and stronger. All of that work gives me more confidence, and I know it's going to keep helping me," he added. Behind that development is another key pillar: his family. Brea acknowledges that the message he has received since childhood has always been the same—sacrifice is necessary to achieve any goal.
"They've always told me that you have to make sacrifices. That's something they've done their whole lives for me, and now it's my turn to sacrifice. All the work I'm putting in now is for the future. I just have to keep working, stay focused, and with God's blessing, we'll keep moving forward." That sense of belonging also explains why he feels such a strong connection to Dominican fans. "You see the support the country gives us, and it fills you with love inside. We get it from our families, but also from people we've never even met. We know who we're representing every time we step onto the court, and that's very important to us!” As he prepares for another NBA season, Brea remains determined to keep growing as a player while proudly representing the country of his roots whenever the opportunity arises.
FIBA