Jason Brickman playing in the Taiwan T1 League. TAIWAN T1 LEAGUE PHOTO
There’s more uncertainty than finality as far as the names expected to declare for the PBA Rookie Draft are concerned with just over a month left before the proceedings are held and with teams eager to see who are available.
Though the league has set an Aug. 29 deadline, no clear top pick is being seen as opportunities to play overseas have opened up, giving the big-name prospects other options than the Sept. 7 proceedings.
Jason Brickman and DJ Fenner, both part of Strong Group Athletics’ back-to-back title runs in the William Jones Cup, have expressed their desire to join the proceedings and loom as top five choices.
For years, Brickman has been expected to make the jump, especially since being considered for the Gilas Pilipinas program and being a veteran of the defunct Asean Basketball League.
For players to be considered as Fil-foreigners, they will be required to show a valid Philippine passport to be eligible.
Kobe Paras and Juan Gomez de Liaño are currently out of employment following stints in Japan and South Korea, respectively, and a PBA entry is something that the two may entertain.
Out of consideration is Quentin Millora-Brown, the ex-University of the Philippines one-and-done big who played for the Macau Black Bears against Gilas Pilipinas in Monday’s send-off for the Philippine Five. Millora-Brown had earlier said that he and his agent are planning a potential stint in Europe.
Rhenz Abando, on the other hand, made his return to South Korea with his old club Anyang Jung Kwan Jang.
MPBL standouts are expected to apply during the course of the regional league’s ongoing season.
Terrafirma owns the top pick in the Rookie Draft, and will likely use it to rebuild its roster after foregoing plans to sell the franchise, at least for the moment.
The Dyip had failed negotiations with Starhorse and the Zamboanga Valientes, and opted to remain with the league for the landmark 50th season instead of folding up.
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