It's Brumfield for Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines –  A wide-bodied bruiser with championship experience is suiting up for Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup starting Feb. 18 and from all indications, he’s a perfect fit for the Kings. Nate Brumfield, 24, was cleared to play by the PBA after measuring 6-3 9/16 at the league office in Libis, Quezon City, the other day. PBA commissioner Chito Salud and basketball operations director Rickie Santos supervised the procedure where import candidates are measured lying flat on a table, head straight, with eyes on the ceiling.

So far, only Alaska’s Eddie Basden has failed to make the grade – he measured 1/4 of an inch over the 6-4 limit. Others measured were B-Meg’s Robert Brown at 6-2 5/16, Rain Or Shine’s Hassan Adams at 6-3 5/16 and Meralco’s Tony Danridge at 6-3 14/16. 

Brumfield arrived in Manila last Monday and was described by Ginebra coach Joseph Uichico as an inside player. Although Brumfield is listed in scouting reports as weighing 260 pounds, Uichico said he is closer to 240. Uichico said the Kings are now complete and healthy with only Rudy Hatfield still out of town but expected to fly in any day now from the US. “No roster changes,” said Uichico, dispelling rumors that some players may be traded.

Uichico said the Kings are all in tip-top shape, including guard Jay-Jay Helterbrand who sat out Ginebra’s last game in the Philippine Cup, an 89-86 loss to San Miguel Beer in Game 6 of the semifinals.

Brumfield could be just what the doctor ordered for Ginebra. He’s an inside operator just like Chris Alexander who powered the Kings to their last PBA title in the 2007-08 Fiesta Conference. Brumfield is often described as a power forward with guard instincts – he can post up or attack facing the basket, he can drive strong to the hole or hit the medium-range jumper. Brumfield, whose favorite player is Boston’s Kevin Garnett, hit .683 from the floor and averaged 22.2 points to lead Oklahoma Baptist University to the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) Division I title last year. In the finals, Brumfield collected 15 points and seven rebounds as the Bisons varsity came back from a five-point deficit with 1:50 left to trim Azusa Pacific, 84-83, in Kansas City. Brumfield was named the playoffs MVP. He was the only player among 480 in the NAIA playoffs to score at least 100 points in five games.

In the semifinals, Brumfield sank a 10-foot turnaround jumper with 3.3 seconds to go as Oklahoma Baptist downed Robert Morris University, 81-79. He finished with 29 points, on 11-of-14 field goals and 7-of-9 free throws, and nine rebounds.

Commenting on Brumfield’s game-winning shot, Oklahoma Baptist coach Mike Tolin said: “Nate is a special player. He just makes plays and wins games. We decided to get the ball down there to him and the move he made, some guys can’t make it by themselves in the gym, and he made it with three guys flying around him.” Brumfield’s shot selection is impeccable. As a junior at Oklahoma Baptist, he shot .650 from the field and never took a three-point attempt. Brumfield hit .742 from the line as he averaged 20.2 points and 27.4 minutes coming off the bench in 23 of 24 outings. As a senior, he started in 31 of 34 games and averaged 34.3 minutes. The Bisons wound up with a 33-3 record.

A Corey Maggette play-alike, Brumfield played for the Pioneros de Quintana squad in the Mexican league before heading for Manila. He averaged 14.5 points, shooting .566 from the floor and .673 from the stripe, in 32 games. 

Brumfield polished his skills at East Rochester High School, averaging 25 points and 15 rebounds. He played at Hutchinson Community College and was ranked No. 47 in US junior college standings after averaging 17.4 points, seven rebounds and 2.3 assists. Brumfield then saw action in two seasons with the Bisons, leading the varsity to a combined record of 36-8. 

In his senior year, Brumfield registered a triple double with 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and hit at least 70 percent from the field in 17 games. He had 11 double-doubles in 35 games and shot at least 20 points in 23.

“Nate is a strong athletic player who plays inside and outside,” said Tolin. “He’s not only a great scorer but an outstanding all-around player. (In his senior year), he led our team in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. He was named national and conference player of the year. Nate is one of the best ever players to play at Oklahoma Baptist.”

An internet scouting report said, “you don’t find every day such a complete player...despite being able to score well in a variety of ways and going to the rim as well, Brumfield has a high basketball IQ and a lot of impact for the ability to make game-changing plays, driven by a highly competitive attitude and knowing how to make things happen on the court, Nate is a winner, first of all.”