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PBA: The imports of the 2014 Governors’ Cup - part one


Less than a week after the end of the Commissioner’s Cup, and we’re already two games into the 2014 Governors’ Cup. Each team will be fielding an import no taller than 6’6”, and this season, there are a few familiar faces, as well as a some fringe NBA talents that might ring a bell.

Meet the imports of Air21, Alaska, Ginebra, GlobalPort and Rain or Shine here:

[RELATED: Get to know the imports of Meralco, Talk 'N Text, San Mig Coffee, San Miguel Beer and Meralco]




Air21 Express – Dominique Sutton
Twitter: @supastasutton23

In a late change prior to their first game, the Air21 Express opted away from Allen Durham and brought in Dominique Sutton. Sutton went undrafted in the NBA in 2012 after playing in the US NCAA for three seasons in Kansas State, and a season in North Carolina Central. While he only played 24 minutes a game in Kansas State, Sutton got more playing time for North Carolina Central, and normed 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.2 steals in his senior season.

After going undrafted, Sutton played a few games for the Orlando Magic’s summer league team. He was eventually selected in the NBDL draft for the 2012-13 season by the Tulsa 66ers, where he averaged 9.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 27 minutes a game. Sutton spent 2013-14 playing for Ikaros of the Greek Basketball League, where he posted stats similar to his NBDL stint, with 9.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals.

Sutton is not known for making or taking long-range shots (he had his most attempts when in Greece with only 0.9 attempts per game), but brings an athleticism and high-flying ability to an Express team with a lot of perimeter players like Joseph Yeo and Sean Anthony.





Alaska Aces – Henry Walker

The Alaska Aces bring in NBA veteran in Henry Walker (known back then as Bill Walker), last with the New York Knicks during the 2011-12 season. Walker played college ball for Kansas State University, averaging 16.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in his sophomore season before declaring for the NBA Draft. Selected by the Washington Wizards in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft (47th overall), Walker was immediately traded to the Boston Celtics, where he played a season and a half while doing stints in the NBA D-League.

Walker was acquired by the New York Knicks in 2010 when he was included in a deal in exchange for Nate Robinson. He thrived in 27 games with the Knicks that season, averaging 11.9 points on 52 percent shooting, with nearly two three-pointers a game. Walker went  on to play a more limited role with the Knicks for the next two seasons, until he was released in 2012.

Walker has spent the past two seasons playing in the NBA D-League, first in a short stint for the Austin Toros in 2012-13, and before going to the Sioux Falls Skyforce. With the latter team, Walker averaged 14.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 2.0 three-pointers a game. He brings considerable firepower to the Aces, but as his first game with Alaska last Sunday showed, Walker might be more versatile than initially thought to be (13 rebounds and nine assists in addition to 27 points).




Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – Zaccheus Mason
Twitter: @3L_Magic0

Barangay Ginebra is bringing in the youngest import this season, with forward Zaccheus “Z.” Mason. Only 23-years-old, Mason was a two-sport athlete out of high school, playing both basketball and football. After going to Ole Miss to join the football team, he transferred to Cattanooga to be a member of their basketball team. He played sparingly in his first year, but soon because a force, averaging 18.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 3.0 blocks per game in his last year, leading the Southern Conference in rebounding and shot blocking. Mason earned Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors, and was named to the Southern Conference first team.

Mason’s youth and relative inexperience – he has no professional basketball experience anywhere – may be where the other imports can take advantage. However, his younger legs and banging style of play also gives him some advantages, with Mason often outplaying taller players. His football background means that he can run the floor, and likely gives him a certain amount of grit, perfect for Team Never-Say-Die.
 
 

 





GlobalPort Batang Pier – Leroy Hickerson

GlobalPort brings in a veteran import in Leroy Hickerson. Hickerson had previously played in the PBA for Air21 (in 2009-10) and Barako Bull (2011-12). In his last stint as an import in the PBA, Hickerson averaged 25.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 2.1 blocks in seven games for Barako.

Hickerson played college ball at Motlow State and Cumberland, and went undrafted in the 2005 NBA Draft. He spent several seasons playing in South America, and boasts of perhaps the most international experience among this cup’s crop of imports, having logged time in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Last season, he played for Halcones Rojos of the Mexican LNBP, leading his team in scoring with 15.0 points, and adding 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 three-pointers a game.

GlobalPort will rely heavily on Hickerson’s veteran prowess to recover from a last-place finish in the Commissioner’s Cup. This is a young team headlined by a slew of collegiate stars, with guys like RR Garcia and Nico Salva. Head coach Pido Jarencio will likely lean Hickerson’s leadership and will likely go to him when a basket is sorely needed.




Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Arizona Reid

Rain or Shine brings in returning import Arizona Reid for another stint in the Philippines. He had previously played for Rain or Shine in the 2011 Governor’s Cup, where he was named Best Import of the Conference, and again in 2013.

Reid played college ball at High Point University, where he improved in each season and finished his collegiate career with 17.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals. Reid was named the Big South Conference player of the year in both his junior and senior seasons, and was a member of the First Team All-Big South for three years running, leading the conference in career rebounds, especially after a senior season in which he averaged 23.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals.

Reid declared for the 2008 NBA Draft, but was undrafted and chose to play overseas. He signed his first pro contract in Italy, but was injured before playing a regular season game for them. Once fully healed, Reid left to play for the Geneva Devils of Switzerland, averaging 13.5 points on 59.6 percent shooting, plus 6.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. He continued working out for NBA teams, before eventually deciding to stay in Europe, where he signed with Finland’s Korihait for the 2009-10 season. Reid flourished, averaging 19.0 points on 58.9% shooting, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 47 games.

Reid went on to play in Switzerland and Lebanon in 2010-11, before trying his luck in the Philippines and winning the Best Import prize for Rain or Shine in the 2011 Governor’s Cup with 28.7 points, 15.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Reid once again proved his efficient scoring ways for Mitteldeutscher BC of the German Basketball Bundesliga in 2011-12, and Benetton Fribourg of the Swiss league. Reid returned to the PBA in the 2013 Governor’s Cup, where he improved on his last campaign with RoS with 30.4 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. After a short stint in Ukraine, Reid now returns to the PBA, where he looks to give opposing imports fits with his scoring and rebounding. - AMD, GMA News
 
 

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