Import in waiting - Sporting Chance By Joaquin M. Henson

The man who discovered Rudy Hatfield and brought Jayjay Helterbrand to Manila is peddling a defensive stopper to Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) coaches who may be thinking of replacing their imports.

Rolando Hiso, a former Philippine national team cyclist who migrated to Chicago over 20 years ago, works for the U.S. Post Office and in his spare time, checks out prospects interested to play here as an import or a Fil-Am.

Two weeks ago, Hiso planed in with former University of Northern Iowa guard Cedrick McCullough. Hiso’s sent the word out that McCullough is available.

McCullough, 29, paid his way to Manila. It’s a gamble on his part. If he lands a job, the 6-4 guard will ask to be reimbursed for his expenses. If he doesn’t, he’ll charge it to experience.

"I realize I arrived too late–I should’ve come a month earlier when teams were still deciding on which import to sign up," said McCullough whom Hiso put up in a Marikina home with some Fil-Ams trying out for spots in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL). "I don’t mean to be disrespectful to imports here. I’m not praying for anyone not to do good so I can get a chance to play. I’m just thinking that if a team isn’t happy with its import, why not give me a shot since I’m already in town?"

McCullough said he’s raring to play. He’s been practicing everyday with several PBL teams to stay fit. "I’m like a (Lamont) Strothers," he said. "I can create, pass it out, or shoot. I play a lot like Reggie Jordan. I’m an all-around player. In college, I was known as a stopper. I’m from Chicago and I’ve played with guys like Kenny Redfield, Ronnie Fields, Terq Mott, Larry Robinson, Juwan Howard, and Antoine Walker."

McCullough said he’s barnstormed the world so experience is on his side. He suited up for the Frankston Blues in Australia’s Continental league in 1996 and also saw action in France, Argentina, Chile, and Latvia. McCullough has also played in various National Basketball Association (NBA) camps.

At Proviso East High School in Illinois, McCullough’s varsity teammates included the celebrated threesome–Mike Finley, Sherrell Ford, and Donnie Boyce. Finley is now an NBA All-Star with the Dallas Mavericks. Ford was an NBA first round pick and played here two years ago. Boyce was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks.

As a freshman at Northern Iowa in 1988-89, McCullough averaged 9.0 points and 4.3 rebounds as the Panthers varsity posted a 19-9 record. The next season, the varsity went to the NCAA Tournament and finished at 23-9. McCullough hit at an 8.8 clip and held Anthony Peeler to three points in the Panthers’ NCAA upset over Missouri. In his junior year, the 210-pound McCullough averaged 11.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. He shot 50.3 percent from the field as the Panthers debuted in the Missouri Valley Conference. As a senior in 1991-92, McCullough scored 9.7 points and grabbed 4.6 rebounds a game.

Panthers coach Eldon Miller described McCullough as the best defensive player for his size he’s ever coached. Writer Pete Daugherty said what makes McCullough a tough defender is his size and quickness. Another writer Ken MacLeod said McCullough is "an excellent defender and capable scorer." While scouts said McCullough is basically "a middle distance scorer," he worked on his range and jumpshot in college.

In four years, McCullough started all his varsity games, except for five. He credited Miller, who previously coached at Ohio State, for teaching him everything he knows about the game.

If McCullough doesn’t find a job in two more weeks, he’ll be packing up. "I just hope I get a chance to show what I can do before I go," he said.

There is one more thing, McCullough added, as we were about to end our conversation. "If anyone’s interested, my phone number is 681-75-47," he said.