Source: Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin
-- Former Arkansas Razorback player Darian Townes showed what determination and preservation are about as he traveled across the globe in the hope of impressing Serbian head coach Rajko Toroman and be a part of the Smart-Gilas national team.
The 6-foot-11 Townes hopes to secure “import” slot after the Nationals first two American players – CJ Giles and Jamal Sampson – were dropped from the team, one after the other because of poor performance and attitude problem.
With the help of ex-pro Ed Cordero, a try-out was arranged and Townes is set to meet Toroman at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City Thursday night.
Toroman will leave for the United States on Saturday to join Smart-Gilas team manager Frankie Lim to scout the prospect of imports to be included to the national team, which is preparing for the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China this year and the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship, the qualifying event to the 2012 London Olympics.
Townes, 25, recently played for the Utah Flash in the NBA Developmental League. Though his career averages in the D-League are not as impressive — 5.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.1 shot blocks — his size can help the national team.
He also played professional basketball with the GasTerra Flames Groningen in Holland.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
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