McGee to join Gilas practice?

MANILA, Philippines - Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee intends to end his three-stop, offseason training program in Manila on Aug. 1-15 and Smart Gilas coach Chot Reyes said yesterday the 7-footer with an unreal 90.5-inch wingspan might join the national team practices during his stay.

A bill was recently filed in Congress by Rep. Robbie Puno to make McGee a naturalized citizen with the view of gaining eligibility to represent the country with Gilas in competitions such as the FIBA-Asia Championships, World Championships and Olympics.

“I haven’t spoken to JaVale personally but (I’ve spoken) with his people,” said Reyes who is in the US to attend to work as MVP Sports Foundation executive director and Smart Gilas coach. “We’re working on him coming to practice with Gilas on Aug. 1-15 but we’re playing (Marcus) Douthit at the Jones Cup in August and Stankovic Cup in September.”

Reyes said he is exploring US possibilities linked to his job with the MVP Sports Foundation but “it’s still too early to discuss (options).” While in the US, Reyes said he will oversee the situation of Talk ‘N’ Text players who are in Los Angeles. He cited the progress of Jimmy Alapag’s father, battling cancer, Harvey Carey’s possible knee surgery at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, Ryan Reyes’ medical examination of the right knee that he injured in Game 7 of the recent PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals and Ali Peek’s regular neck check-up.

“We’re also monitoring if Jayson Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo need to go to the US for further treatment or rehabilitation,” added Reyes. Castro has undergone prolotherapy to strengthen both ankles. The treatment involves PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections. De Ocampo had nasal reduction to fix a fracture in his nose. Reyes said he’ll be back in town on Sunday.

Patty Scott, chief executive officer of the Cincinnati investment management company East West Private, disclosed McGee’s plan of training in Los Angeles, Denver and Manila during her recent visit here. East West Private staged McGee’s “Flying Buddha Slam Jam” event at the NBA City during the All-Star Weekend in Orlando last February. McGee was joined in the fan show by Shaquille O’Neal and Washington Wizards guard John Wall, among others. There were four-hour queues for fans to meet McGee, get his autograph and pose for a photo.

“Everybody in the NBA is calling JaVale the next Shaq or Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar),” said Scott. “He’s learning a lot from coach George Karl at Denver. When he got traded by Washington, JaVale felt he was moving to a positive situation where the Nuggets want to get young and are looking to grow with him over the long haul. I think it’s a positive step in his career, particularly as he’s now with coach Karl.”

  If McGee’s schedule allows, he will be in Manila during East West Private’s coming launch of a revolutionary, computerized, data-based sports technology system. McGee is a beneficiary of this 3D motion capture approach that is scientific, analytical and educational. McGee plans to work out with trainer Rory Jones in Los Angeles and Denver then hook up with strength and conditioning coach Chris Thomas in Manila.

McGee, 24, was one of 15 finalists vying for spots on the US national team bound for the World Championships in 2010 but didn’t make the cut. He played in an exhibition scrimmage with the US squad at the World Basketball Festival in the Radio City Music Hall in New York City that year. His mother Pam won a gold medal with the US women’s basketball team at the 1984 Olympics.

McGee was Washington’s first round and 18th overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft. Last March, he was traded by the Wizards to Denver and wound up averaging a career-high 11.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 25.2 minutes in 61 total games. He shot a career-high .556 from the field and .461 from the line. His single-game career highs include 28 points, 18 rebounds and 12 blocked shots. Last year, McGee posted his first and only NBA triple double by compiling 11 points, 12 rebounds and 12 blocked shots in Washington’s 98-79 loss to Chicago.

In the NBA playoffs this season, McGee collected 21 points and 14 rebounds in 33 minutes as Denver beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 102-99, in Game 5 of their first round Western Conference series. The Lakers eventually disposed of Denver in seven games with McGee averaging 8.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 25.9 minutes.

In his twitter account early this year, McGee said, “Just heard from coach Chot that the Philippine national team is about to be formed-would love to represent the Philippines if given the chance.” McGee was in the country twice last year, first with other NBA stars to play a two-game exhibition series and second, to visit different provinces in a video shoot to promote local tourist destinations.