DOHA, Qatar – Two more prospects for naturalization emerged over the weekend, including Smart Gilas former import CJ Giles.
Giles recently signified his intention to suit up again for Smart Gilas even as Olumide Oyedeji said he might be available for the RP team gearing up for the Guangzhou Asian Games this year and the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championships.
“I’m alright with that but we’ll see,” said the high-leaping 6-11 Giles, who was with the Nationals last year.
On the other hand, the 6-10 Oyedeji, who played for the Seattle Supersonics, now the Oklahoma Thunder, from 2000-2002, said he has given his number to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas officials just in case he might be available.
“We talked to him (Oyedeji) and he said he might be available for us,” said SBP executive director Noli Eala, who was with the team in Doha, Qatar where Smart Gilas finished seventh in the 21st FIBA-Asia Champions Cup.
Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim, however, said it will all be up to coach Rajko Toroman.
“In the end, it will boil down to who coach Rajko will choose,” he said.
Giles, who suited up as an import for Al Riyadi of Lebanon in the Doha joust, told Eala that Lebanon did not pursue its earlier plan to tap him since it has already fellow American Jackson Vroman in its fold.
For Oyedeji, who played for ASU of Jordan, RP may have difficulty in securing his release papers from Nigeria and approval from FIBA-World, which prevents players from playing for another country in any FIBA-sanctioned event.
Toroman earlier said Smart Gilas will try out American Marcus Douthit as the team continues its search for a naturalization candidate.