Smart Gilas Pilipinas is close to signing up American Dwayne Jones, a 6-11 D-League standout who is being eyed for naturalization.
“I just spoke to his agent today (yesterday) and it looks like he will accept,” said team manager Frankie Lim, referring to Jones’ agent Dave Gasman.
Lim said he has waited for months to hold talks and start negotiations with Jones but Gasman said they could only do so right after his player’s contract with the Austin Toros in the D-League expires this month.
“Now that’s the D-League is over, we’ve started to talk and it looks like we have a very strong chance of acquiring Jones,” he said.
Lim didn’t mention terms of the contract but assured that Jones will be paid well.
The arrival of Jones, a former St. John standout, will give Smart Gilas’ inside game tremendous boost as it goes up against taller teams in the region, including China, Iran, Lebanon and Jordan.
“I think he (Jones) will complete the puzzle. We will have a great interior defense and with his size, we will have a wide body in the paint who can get all the rebounds we need,” said Lim.
Dwayne Jones 2009-10 D-League Statistics
PPG - 17.6
RPG - 16.0
APG - 1.6
Born: Jun 9, 1983
Height: 6-11 / 2,11
Weight: 250 lbs. / 113,4 kg.
College: St. Joseph's, PA
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