Import wannabes - SPORTING CHANCE by Joaquin M. Henson

I got a strange call the other day.

Anton Collins, who never averaged more than two points a game during a four-year stint at the University of Illinois-Chicago, phoned long distance to say he’s available to play in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup — any time. What chutzpah, I thought.

My pal Rolando Hiso, busy scouting Fil-Ams from his Chicago home base, gave my number to Collins. Hiso met Collins at the Stephen Bardo camp in the Bulls’ city last week.

"I’m ready to go," said Collins in a call from Chicago. "I know what it’s like to play 48 minutes. I’m a forward-center–6-8, 225 pounds, 24 years old. I’m used to guarding bigger guys and I play three, four, and five. I can bring the ball up the court, too. I’ve just come from France where I averaged 19 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocked shots. I played for Troyes in Division II. I was the only import on the team. Then, I played in several camps, including the Harlem Globetrotters. I’m single and I have no kids."

Collins unloaded a mouthful. If only he could back up his gab with solid credentials, I told myself.

"I’ve seen some PBA games on tape," he continued.

"It’s an interesting league–looks very professional. I was impressed by the crowd, the floor, and stadium."

I told Collins playing in the PBA as an import is no joke. The quality of opposition is top-class. I rattled off the names of some of the imports in town–Jerod Ward, Jason Sasser, David Wood, Nate Johnson, Kevin Freeman, Ryan Fletcher, and Antonio Lang. I swear I heard a gasp on the other end.

"Yeah, I heard of ‘em," said Collins like he just swallowed a glassful of water in a single gulp. "Hey, I’ve played against big-name players, like Malik Rose and Brad Miller. I also played Nazr Mohammed in high school. In case you don’t know, I played for a Division I school and I remember we beat Michigan State and Marquette."

After hanging up, I dug into Collins’ collegiate records to check his stats. Alas, I found out Collins averaged 1.1 points as a freshman for the Flames varsity in 1995-96, 1.3 points as a sophomore, 1.6 points as a junior, and 12.9 minutes as a senior. Collins logged 11 starts in his second year but averaged only 16 minutes a game. The next season, he had 12 starts in 27 outings as coach Jimmy Collins piloted the Flames to a 22-6 mark and an NCAA Tournament slot. The problem was Collins hardly contributed to the effort, averaging only 1.6 points and 3.1 rebounds. As a senior, he came off the bench as the Flames fell to 7-21.

Any takers for Collins? I doubt it. From the looks of his collegiate stats, he’d be killed in the PBA.

* * *

Before the Second Conference started, another miscast hopeful volunteered to play in the PBA.

Mobiline had brought in Rosell Ellis but coach Louie Alas decided to secretly send for a backup, just in case. The backup was 6-6 1/2, 235-pound Shawn Simpson from the University of New Mexico. Simpson was about two inches taller than Ellis who seemed too short to make an impact in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Simpson, 27, was the personification of a lemon. He was such an eyesore on the court that in a practice game against Red Bull, Alas benched him the entire second half. Simpson was gone in a few days. Ward was eventually signed up by Mobiline.

Simpson averaged 16 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.6 blocked shots at Barton Community College in Kansas in 1993-94 then played two years at New Mexico. In his first year with the Lobos varsity, he averaged 4.7 points and 2.1 rebounds–earning a reputation as a dunker and "defensive pest" in coach Dave Bliss’ system. He scored 16 points against Stephen F. Austin and collected six blocks against San Diego State.

In Simpson’s second and last year at New Mexico, he took a backseat to newcomers 7-1 Daniel Santiago and 6-9 Kenny Thomas. After averaging 3.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in 13 games, Simpson abruptly quit the team. Writer Andy Katz said, "Walking off the court with a scowl on his face, Simpson was clearly agitated by his inability to get on the floor."

I’ll bet if Alas knew about Simpson’s surrender, he wouldn’t have offered a tryout for the lily-livered coward. As it turned out, Simpson never made it to first base at Mobiline.