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Source: abs-cbnnews.com

-- The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) on Tuesday said that it is currently “shopping” for a player that will take over CJ Giles’ place in the Smart Gilas developmental team.

SBP executive director Noli Eala confirmed that Giles, who was being eyed for naturalization, is no longer part of the team after failing to meet their standards.

“We're confirming that CJ Giles is no longer part of the national team,” Eala told ANC. “We decided after a long and thorough evaluation of his performance that it would be best if we relieve CJ at this time.”

Among the reasons why Giles was taken out of the team is his lack of focus, aside from his “negative influence” to the team.

“We've always believed that for a player to be worthy of a naturalization as a Filipino, he must possess all of the qualifications and none of the disqualifications,” said Eala.

He said they are currently in touch with the players they have been eyeing to replace Giles. These “prospects, he said, will also undergo the same process of evaluation Giles went through.

On the top of their list is 6'11" Jamal Sampson, cousin of NBA 1983 No. 1 draft pick Ralph Sampson.

Sampson, 26, was Utah’s second round pick in the 2002 NBA draft and has played for Milwaukee, the Lakers, Charlotte, Sacramento and Denver in five NBA seasons.

Also being targetted are 7-footer Earl Barron of the University of Memphis, and 6-10 Shaun Pruitt of the University of Illinois.

Barron, 28, played for Red Bull as a PBA import in 2005, then saw action for the Miami Heat in three NBA seasons. He went on to suit up in Italy and was cut by the New Orleans Hornets during the NBA offseason. Pruitt, who turns 24 next week, averaged 12.6 points and 7.3 rebounds for Illinois in the 2007-08 NCAA campaign.

Eala said the SBP is looking to naturalize two foreign players that will boost RP’s chances against other foreign countries which field naturalized players in international competitions.

“We're looking at possibly two just to ensure that nothing goes wrong. We have a back up plan, whatever happens to one of them,” he said, citing that FIBA only allows each country to play one naturalized player at a time.

Among the countries which employ naturalized players are Asian basketball powerhouse teams from Qatar, Lebanon and Jordan.