Cole Micek’s Homecoming Is Just Getting Started

Presence in motion

Cole Micek doesn’t just enter a room—he charges into it like he’s driving the lane, presence tall, tailored, and unbothered. On the court, he’s poetry in motion; off it, a thinking man’s athlete. In his words, he’s here to take up space—and if you haven’t heard of him yet, check the stat sheet, the lookbook, and maybe your For You page.

Now, after bouncing between the U.S. and the Philippines—where he’s recently made his 5v5 pro debut—Cole is anchoring his athleticism and artistry firmly in Southeast Asia. A Fil-Am phenom with a psychology degree and a skincare routine that could outshine your favorite K-pop star’s, he personifies brains and brawn, wrapped in vintage denim and sweat-wicking discipline.

“Fitness is such an essential facet of my career, so I really have no excuse to not be working on it,” he proclaims. And work on it, he does. Cole’s current regimen reads like a wellness aficionado’s vision board: weight training three to four times a week, hot yoga twice, endless basketball drills, and a rotation of red light therapy, saunas, ice baths, and the holy grail—sleep. Health and wellness dominate his lifestyle. He makes grit look glamorous, discipline sound fun.

The inner game

And mental toughness? For Cole, it’s not just about staying cool in crunch time—it’s spiritual. “I’m a big believer in positive self-talk. With high pressure situations… I remind myself that I’ve done all the right things to prepare for this moment, and to just have fun and smile.” He credits his psychology background, a little meditation, and a lot of Mamba Mentality—an awesome back story on this in a bit—for sharpening his inner edge. “Good things seem to work out when I maintain a positive mindset, good energy, and pour love into everything I do.”

That energy radiates far beyond the hardwood. Cole comes fitted in 70s silhouettes and streetwear gems. “My preferred fits range from vintage western, to old money, to street, and 90s/Y2K.” Aime Leon Dore is in heavy rotation, but so is his affection for grooming.

“I’m trying to get guys to really start taking care of their skin. Skincare is definitely self-care. I’m trying to uphold the responsibility of ‘Asian don’t raisin.’”

Reframed recovery

One of his most formative chapters began with a broken foot just as he was gearing up to play college ball in the U.S. “It was my first major injury that sidelined me for some time.” But in true comeback-season style, he used the time to visualize, coach, and recalibrate. “When something you love gets taken away from you, you’re reminded to not take it for granted and to cherish every moment you’re out there.”

That reverence now fuels his return to the Philippines. In Passi City, Iloilo, Cole made his pro debut in front of a crowd that mirrored what he had long hoped to represent. “Seeing kids that look like me in the stands cheering us on and holding up cutouts of my face was the cherry on top.” His Filipino roots run deep, but now they’re blooming in full color: basketball, modeling, acting, and a Southeast Asian homecoming that’s just getting started.

Of course, no real-life superhero arc is complete without a personal hero back story—and for Cole, it was none other than Kobe Bryant himself. The year was 2018: Cole had just wrapped an intense training session when the Black Mamba, watching from the sidelines, asked where he played. “I told him I’d just accepted a full ride to the University of St. Francis,” Cole recalls. “He said, ‘Go get buckets.’ I told him, thanks, I’ll try my best. And he stopped me—‘Nah, f*ck that. You’re going to go out there and do that sh*t.’” A mic-drop moment if there ever was one. “As Asian men, we’re always trying to downplay our success… But Kobe gave me the mindset to just make it happen. Get the job done.”

Representing without apology

And that’s exactly what he’s doing. From training camps to fragrance shoots, Cole’s mission is layered: dominate the game, elevate Southeast Asian men, and make sure the next generation sees themselves reflected in power and poise. I definitely feel the responsibility to represent Southeast Asian men in the best light possible. “Through modeling campaigns, acting projects, and basketball games… I’m able to intertwine all of those passions and showcase them to the world.”

But he isn’t just a poster boy or a figurehead—he is becoming quite the force. His advice to other Southeast Asian men? Step in and step up.

“Be a gentleman, smile a lot, and make lasting impressions with your aura and energy. There’s no need to hold back anymore. Be confidently, unapologetically you.”

Cole Micek is showing us what it means to be a Southeast Asian man of the moment. He is wise, moisturized, well-dressed, and ready to run, jump, and shoot his shot all over the region—because the hardcourt isn’t the only place he plays to win.

As seen in the pages of VMAN SEA 03: now available for purchase!

Photography and Fashion Krisnoff

Chief of Editorial Content Patrick Ty

Grooming Bong Bong Buan