Meet the imports, Part 2

(This is the second of a two-part series on the imports for the upcoming PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Read Part 1 here. The Commissioner’s Cup opens on February 8.)

Evan Brock, Power Forward – Barako Bull

With top prospect Al Thornton still unavailable and ace forward Rico Villanueva still recuperating from an ACL injury, the Energy Cola will now have to do it with Evan Brock.

Unknown to many, the 6-foot-9, 220-pound Brock, 26, has upstaged his more heralded counterparts in the ASEAN Basketball League last year, powering the Indonesia Warriors to their first title over the favored San Miguel Beermen via a 2-1 count in the finals series.

Donning the Indonesian team colors, the Alabama product averaged 23.2 points on a remarkable 58.9 shooting from the field plus 9.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 10 outings.

Having served as a team consultant of the Beermen, former Smart Gilas head coach and Serbian Rajko Toroman, who is tipped to handle the Energy Cola in lieu of Bong Ramos, sure knows what Brock can bring to the table.
 
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Justin Williams, Power Forward/Center – GlobalPort

In dire of need of an imposing big man, the Batang Pier are bringing in Chicago, Illinois native Justin Williams.

At 6-foot-10, 260 pounds, Williams, 28, is expected to provide the needed muscle along with an intimidating presence in the lane for GlobalPort, which is also keen on redeeming itself after a forgettable Philippine Cup debut.

In his two-year stint as a Cowboy with the University of Wyoming where he averaged 10.09 points, 8.74 rebounds and 4.17 blocks in 58 outings, Williams was twice included in the Mountain West All-Conference Third Team and the Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006.

Despite the accolades, he went undrafted in the 2006 NBA Draft but made an impact with the Dakota Wizards in the NBA D-League, posting game-averages of 12.1 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.1 blocks in 12 outings.

Williams made the big jump to the NBA by getting a call-up from the Sacramento Kings in 2007. He, however, failed to get enough playing time to showcase his talents, and went on to have similarly brief stints with the Atlanta Hawks and the Houston Rockets.

In March, 2012, Williams was claimed by the Los Angeles D-Fenders from the player pool but was waived after incurring an injury barely two months later.
Now with GlobalPort, Williams is eager to prove he’s genuine worth.
 
Matthew Rogers, Center – San Mig Coffee

The Mixers are setting their sights on a second straight Commissioners Cup title and they’ll have to do it without reigning Best Import Denzel Bowles–at least for a month.

The 6-foot-10 Bowles, who put San Mig Coffee (then known as the B-Meg Llamados) on his broad shoulders in an epic seven-game finals showdown with Talk ‘N Text, remains doubtful after reportedly injuring his knee while playing for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls in the Chinese Basketball Association.

With Bowles momentarily out of the frame, the Mixers are keen on tapping the services of Matt Rogers, a 25-year-old Southwest Baptist standout who is coming off a stint with Club Basquet Coruña in the Liga Española de Baloncesto, the second-tier Spanish league behind Liga Endesa (Liga ACB).

Standing at 6-foot-11 and weighing at 225 pounds, Rogers was also an undrafted player in the 2010 NBA Draft but hooked up with the Indiana Pacers.

After getting waived by the Pacers, he saw action in the NBA D-League with the Texas Legends in two seasons, compiling game-averages of 7.27 points, 4.32 rebounds and 1.11 blocks in 79 outings.

Rogers was called up by the Pacers in the recent Summer League where he posted 4.25 markers and 1.50 boards in four games.

After playing a back-up role in Coruña, eyes will surely focus on Rogers whether he’s capable of leading the Mixers to the Promised Land.

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Robert Dozier, Small Forward/Power Forward – Alaska

Unsuccessful in luring their first three prospects, the Aces are keeping their fingers crossed they’ll finally get the thumbs-up sign from Robert Dozier.

After failing to sign up former Los Angeles Laker center DJ Mbenga and two other candidates, Alaska is dead-set on hiring the 6-foot-9 Dozier, a former Memphis Tiger who played a key role alongside one-time NBA MVP Derrick Rose in their runner-up finish against the Kansas City Jayhawks in the 2008 NCAA tournament.

The last aspirant picked by Miami Heat in the 2009 NBA Draft, Dozier wasn’t able to see action in the world’s top league and saw himself playing his trade in Europe, with stops in Greece (Colossus Rhodes and PAOK B.C.) plus a one-year stint with Cholet Basket in France.

Dozier also played for the Heat in the 2012 NBA Summer League but was cut prior to the start of the current season. Three weeks after, he agreed to a one-month deal with Spanish squad Cajasol Sevilla in the Liga Endesa.

If things fall into place for Alaska, Dozier is expected to add versatility and firepower while helping center Sonny Thoss, do-it-all rookie Calvin Abueva and Gabby Espinas patrol the paint.
 

Keith Benson, Power Forward/Center – Talk ‘N Text

Fresh from a dominant run in the PBA Philippine Cup, the Tropang Texters are on the look-out for a fitting encore in the mid-season tournament.

Foiled the last time out by San Mig Coffee (then known as B-Meg), Talk ‘N Text is bent on tapping the services of Keith Benson, a 6-foot-10, 230-pound slotman.

At 24, Benson is tipped to be the youngest among the 10 imports and also possesses an intriguing cage background.

While suiting up for Oakland University, Benson emerged as a defensive lynchpin, coming up with the league-best 40 blocks–one shy of the Golden Grizzlies’ single-season record–during the 2007-2008 season. In his senior year, Benson tallied 117 swats.

With his remarkable exploits on the defensive end, he was named back-to-back Summit League's Player of the Year (2010 and 2011) before getting picked 48th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2011 NBA Draft.

With the league going on a lockout, he reached a one-year contract with Italy’s Dinamo Basket Sassari, which included an opt-out clause. After the lockout was lifted, Benson played two pre-season games with the Hawks but was cut before the start of the regular season.

In January 2012, he was acquired by the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA D-League. Three months later, Benson was called up by the Golden State Warriors for a 10-day contract.

In September 2012, he re-joined the Hawks but was waived a month later, before suiting up anew with Sioux Falls.

Two months after, Benson was traded to the Erie BayHawks in exchange for Mike Davis. He was bought out by the BayHakws on January this year.

Knowing coach Norman Black’s defense-first and balanced-offensive system, Benson appears headed for a breakout season in the international scene.