Navarro brings talent to Korea

William Navarro has realized his overseas hoops dream after officially signing with the Busan KCC Egis, the Korean Basketball League (KBL) club announced on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-6 forward is now bound for Korea after a brief stint with the Magnolia Hotshots, as the exodus of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) talents continues to seek greener pastures abroad.

“William Navarro is a new player in KCC Egis! We ask for lots of support and encouragement (for) William Navarro, who is making a new start at KCC Egis,” Busan KCC posted on its Instagram account.

Navarro was supposed to play in the KBL back in 2022 after striking a deal with the Seoul Samsung Thunders but his transfer certificate was withheld due to his contractual obligations in the PBA.

The Ateneo de Manila University product was selected second overall by NorthPort in the Gilas special round of the 2021 PBA Draft.

He had a flourishing stint with the Batang Pier where he averaged 20.57 points, 10.57 rebounds, 1.86 assists, and 1.14 steals per game as one of the finest young forwards in the PBA.

Navarro, however, was shipped to Magnolia last May midway into the Season 49 Philippine Cup in exchange for Calvin Abueva, Jerrick Balanza, and a second-round pick in the upcoming PBA Season 51 Draft.

The 28-year-old cager averaged 15.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in the all-Filipino conference.

Navarro’s exit deals a huge blow to Magnolia, who squandered a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals against eventual Philippine Cup runner-up TNT.

The Hotshots are in a transition stage after the appointment of LA Tenorio as head coach, replacing Chito Victolero.