Japeth gets invite to Eastern camp

MANILA, Philippines - Former Talk n Text and Smart Gilas Pilipinas player Japeth Aguilar has been invited to another private workout, this time by an Eastern Conference team this weekend, keeping his hopes to get a crack at the NBA alive.

Chris McGarry, Aguilar’s American agent, made the announcement to Joseph Pimentel of the Asian Journal and ABS-CBN News North America recently more than a week after holding a private workout with two scouts from the Western Conference including one from the San Antonio Spurs.

“We’re very excited, this is very good for Japeth,” said McGarry in the same story. “It means observations from tryouts and coaches, ranging from the Bakersfield Jam, ex-NBA trainers and staff, are satisfied with what they see in Japeth.

“(Scouts like) His athleticism, speed and what he brings on the court like hustle, rebound, blocks, (his) professional approach to the game, desire to learn and coachability,” he added.

There were no mention though as to what Eastern Conference team Aguilar was invited to do a workout composed of standard NBA drills.

McGarry hopes Aguilar, who is working out with Los Angeles-based coach and trainer Leo Balayon in transitioning to a small forward, could at least make the training camp roster of any NBA team, which is allowed a maximum of 20 players during the camp and make the necessary cut a week before the season opener on Oct. 31 (Phl time).

“We’re not worried, it will take its own course,” said McGarry . “He’s (Aguilar) mentally and physically prepared for the task at hand, he’s in the best basketball shape of his life.”

“He’s upbeat and never been so excited in his life,” he added.

Aguilar has also tried out with the Bakersfield Jam, an NBA D-League affiliate of the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks, and made quite an impression.