William Navarro will debut in the PBA with North Port.
After failing to get permission from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to play overseas, multiple sources confirmed that Will Navarro has signed a two-conference deal with North Port Batang Pier.
The Batang Pier currently has a 3-3 record in the ongoing PBA Governor’s Cup. With his new team, Navarro will join their import Prince Ibeh and a massive line-up of frontline players like Arwind Santos, JM Calma, Prince Caperal, Arvin Tolentino, Kevin Ferrer.
The 6-foot-6 forward who was originally the 2nd overall pick in the 2021 PBA Gilas Draft, previously signed with a Korean Basketball League (KBL) team Seoul Samsung but could not gain clearance from the SBP as he is currently signed with the federation until March 2023.
Navaro even issued a lengthy apology to SBP last September regarding the issue of his Letter of Clearance (LOC) to play in the KBL. SBP’s response to his appeal was that Navarro’s Gilas contract states that he needs to fulfill his contract. This clearly states that Navaroo is obliged to play for the national team and to make himself available for other activities.
Before heading to Gilas, Navaro was a product of the Ateneo Blue Eagles where he proved to be fundamental in the team’s 3-peat championship. In Seasons 81 and 82, becoming the team’s post creator that helped the school win back-to-back UAAP crowns. He ended his Ateneo career with averages of 5.16 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.73 blocks in 30 games played.
In his Gilas career for the past 3 years, he played 13 games and averaged 5.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.
Tags: #basketball, #PBA, #NorthPort, #sports