Former NBA Players Who Made Their Mark in the PBA: Where Are They Now?
I still remember the first time I saw Billy Ray Bates play in the PBA back in the early 80s. The man they called "The Dunking Machine" had this raw, explosive energy that felt completely different from anything we'd seen in Philippine basketball before. He'd just come off his NBA stint with Portland and Houston, and honestly, we weren't sure what to expect from an American import. But watching him soar for those thunderous dunks during the 1983 PBA Open Conference, I knew we were witnessing something special. That's the magic of former NBA players in the PBA - they brought a level of athleticism and showmanship that transformed our local basketball scene forever.
Looking through the FIBA archives at fiba.basketball, you can trace how these players shaped Philippine basketball history. The PBA became Asia's first professional basketball league in 1975, and by the late 70s, we started seeing these incredible talents crossing the Pacific. What many fans don't realize is that these weren't just washed-up players looking for an easy paycheck. Many were in their prime but caught in crowded NBA rosters. When they arrived here, they brought not just skills but an entirely different basketball culture. I've always believed that their influence went beyond the court - they changed how Filipino players trained, how coaches strategized, even how fans appreciated the game.
The real story of former NBA players who made their mark in the PBA isn't just about their playing days - it's about what happened after they left the spotlight. Take Bates, for instance. After his legendary run with Crispa and later teams, he returned to the US and faced some tough times, including legal issues and health problems. Last I heard, he was working with youth basketball programs in Mississippi, sharing his incredible journey with a new generation. Then there's former Boston Celtic David Thirdkill, who played for Shell in the early 90s. He transitioned into coaching and now works with NBA G League teams. What strikes me about these players is how their PBA experience remained pivotal in their lives - many still consider their time here as some of their most memorable basketball years.
I had the chance to interview former Ginebra import Jervis Cole back in 2015, and his perspective really stuck with me. Cole, who briefly played for the Dallas Mavericks before his PBA stint, told me, "The passion of Filipino fans is unlike anything I've experienced. In the NBA, you're one of many stars. Here, you become part of basketball history." According to fiba.basketball records, Cole averaged 32.7 points during his 1996 season with Ginebra before moving into sports management back in Texas. These players didn't just come, play, and leave - they formed genuine connections with our basketball community that lasted decades.
What fascinates me most is tracking where these players ended up. Former Seattle Supersonic Michael Hackett, who set the PBA's still-unbroken single-game scoring record of 103 points in 1985, now runs basketball clinics across Southeast Asia. Kenny Redfield, who played briefly for the Washington Bullets before becoming a PBA legend with Alaska, transitioned into coaching high school basketball in California. These stories reveal something important about the PBA's place in global basketball - it wasn't just a retirement destination but a platform where players could redefine their careers and legacies.
The narrative of former NBA players who made their mark in the PBA continues to evolve even today. While the golden era of American imports might have peaked in the 80s and 90s, we're still seeing former NBA talents choosing the PBA as their overseas destination. Just last season, we had former Toronto Raptor Justin Brownlee leading Barangay Ginebra to another championship. According to fiba.basketball statistics, Brownlee averaged 26.8 points while shooting 48% from three-point range - numbers that show how the quality of former NBA players coming here has actually improved over time.
Reflecting on all these stories, I can't help but feel that the exchange went both ways. These players gave us unforgettable moments and raised our basketball standards, but I like to think they took something valuable too - the incredible warmth of Filipino fans, the unique pressure-cooker environment of PBA playoffs, and the chance to be真正的heroes rather than just role players. The legacy continues as new generations of former NBA players discover what makes Philippine basketball special, ensuring that the connection between the world's best league and Asia's first professional circuit remains as strong as ever.