There’s no hope in Hoff

Mustapha Hoff may only play a single game with Barangay Ginebra as the team is reportedly set to close a deal with former Red Bull import Sean James Lampley.

Apparently, Hoff has been unimpressive in practice, prompting the Ginebra management to find a replacement although the Kings have yet to play a single official game in the PBA Fiesta Conference opening tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum.

There were also reports that Ginebra tried to sign up former NBA star Cedric Henderson.

Lampley is no a stranger in the local pro league, having suited up with Red Bull in two conferences in the past and has teamed up with Julius Nwosu in helping the Barakos win the 2003 Commissioner’s Cup championship versus the Talk n Text Phone Pals.

The former California Bear had just been cut by the Miami Heat when he played with Red Bull. After his tour of duty in the PBA, he had a return stint in the NBA, joining the Golden State Warriors.

He was picked No. 45 overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2001 NBA draft after a remarkable stint at U Cal where he gained All America Honorable Mention by the Association Press as a senior.

The 6-foot-6 forward was also named Pac-10 Player of the Year by a vote of the league’s coaches and by The Sporting News.

He finished his collegiate career as U Cal’s all-time leading scorer with 1,776 points and the only player in school history to rank in the top 10 in points, rebounds (889, fourth), and assists (295, 10th).

He had 30 career double-doubles and tied the school record for free throw attempts (651) and ended his career in third place in free throws made (437).