SBP signs up Sampson

MANILA, Philippines - The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has officially signed up American Jamal Wesley Sampson as its player-candidate for naturalization who will beef up the Smart Gilas Pilipinas team bidding for a berth in the 2012 London Olympics.

SBP executive director Noli Eala yesterday made the announcement, saying the entry of the hefty, 6-11 center should be a fitting, if not better, replacement for CJ Giles.

“The SBP is pleased to announce the formal signing of Jamal Wesley Sampson as the newest member of the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national team,” said Eala.

“Sampson, a legit center out of University of California-Berkeley and a five-year veteran of the NBA, will replace Giles as the naturalized player-candidate of Smart Gilas,” he said.

SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan and vice chair Ricky Vargas both welcomed Sampson’s addition to the team, saying his presence will surely enhance the country’s Olympic hopes.

“We welcome the presence of Jamal in the national team. His maturity, size and skills are what we need in our quest,” said the PLDT and Smart top official, referring to the country’s Olympic basketball dreams.

“Jamal is the player we need and his signing with Smart Gilas has improved our competitiveness,” Vargas said. “A true pro, he gave up better offers in China because he prefers to work with our players and live in the Philippines,” he said.

Eala said it took the SBP two weeks to negotiate with Sampson.

“It took nearly two weeks of negotiations to get Jamal, but at least both parties are assured our deal was not hastily done,” he said.

Sampson will suit up with the Nationals in the PBA starting Friday against Barako Bull.

The 26-year-old Sampson suited up for five NBA teams in as many seasons. After just one year of collegiate basketball, Sampson decided to turn pro and was drafted in the second round by the Utah Jazz seven seasons ago.

He went on to play for the Milwaukee Bucks, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Charlotte Bobcats, the Sacramento Kings and, finally, the Denver Niuggets. – Joey Villar