Realtors enlist rapper import for Fiesta Cup

American rap artist L Dubb is coming to town not to do a concert but play as Sta. Lucia import in the PBA Fiesta Conference kicking off Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

L Dubb’s real name is Luke Edward Whitehead, a former Louisville Cardinal who nearly made the San Antonio Spurs roster in the most recent NBA campaign.

The roster of imports for the Fiesta Cup was finally completed with Sta. Lucia sealing a deal with Whitehead late Wednesday. He’s to arrive in the country today.

Curiously, Sta. Lucia earlier tried to sign up veteran PBA imports Leon White and James Head. Instead, the Realtors got Whitehead.

"Nakakatawa nga. Hindi namin nakuha si White at Head, ang nakuha namin si Whitehead," said Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua, happy with their acquisition of the 6-foot-6 forward who developed his skills while playing under legendary coach Rick Pitino at Louisville.

Other imports set to play in the tourney are Tim McClary for Alaska, Damien Cantrell for Talk n Text, Rico Hill for San Miguel, Mustapha Hoff for Ginebra, Quermont Greer for Red Bull Barako, Marquin Chandler for Purefoods Chunkie, Alex Cacarmo for Coca-Cola and Shawn Daniels for Air21.

One of 53 players in Louisville history to score over 1,000 career points, Whitehead made it to the Mythical Third Team All-Conference USA in his senior year with the Cardinals last year. — Nelson Beltran

He also earned 2004 All-Consolation Team honors at Portsmouth Invitational tourney, averaging 15.7 points and 6.0 rebounds.

As a senior Whitehead scored in double figures on 17 occasions and was the team’s rebounding leader in 14 games. He grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds against Marquette, adding 14 points and three steals.

A season earlier, Whitehead earned Most Valuable Player honors in leading Louisville to its first Conference USA Tournament title, averaging 15.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and shooting 87 percent from the field in three games.

His collegiate review said Whitehead "is a good rebounder, handles the ball well for his size, has a good nose for the ball and plays the game with high energy at all times."

Incidentally, his father Eddie also played at Louisville from 1963-66, brother Pax played at Vanderbilt and sister Maya at Florida.

Majoring in communications, Whitehead or L Dubb has recorded a rap album with a title "Unexpected."

"Basketball definitely got the majority of my attention. With Coach (Rick) Pitino, you have to concentrate on basketball and that’s it. Music was something I did on the side as a hobby. When some guys would go to the club, I’d go work on music instead," said Whitehead.

"Basketball and hip-hop go hand in hand. Rappers love basketball, and basketball players want to be rappers," he added.

After being passed over during the 2004 NBA draft, he spent his summer putting the finishing touches to his debut album. He said he chose "Unexpected" as title "because it will be a surprise to a lot of people."

"I don’t think people are going to expect it to be that good," he said.