Alaska taps NBA veteran

The cast of imports in the upcoming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup is finally complete after Alaska named National Basketball Association (NBA) veteran Mike Harris as its reinforcement on Monday.

Harris arrived in the country over the weekend and immediately joined the Aces practice Monday.

Despite being a newcomer, the 35-year old journeyman is coming in with high expectations due to his impressive resume.

After going undrafted in the 2005 NBA Draft, Harris had stints with several NBA teams like Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz before taking his act to international leagues.

He was a celebrated champion in every league he played, including with the Grande Valley Viper in 2010 NBA Developmental League where he was hailed as the Most Valuable Player.

Harris also lifted the championship with Sichuan Blue Whales in the 2016 Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) and with Leones de Ponce in the 2015 Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) league in Puerto Rico.

The 6-foot-5 Harris will join three other PBA first-timers in Rashad Woods of Globalport, Akeem Wright of Columbian Dyip and Olu Oshaulu of NLEX.

Also in the fold are a bunch of PBA returnees led by reigning Best Import Allen Durham of Meralco and defending champion Justin Brownlee of Ginebra alongside Romeo Travis of Magnolia, AZ Reid of San Miguel, J’Nathan Bullock of Rain or Shine, Eugene Phelps of Phoenix and Henry Walker of Blackwater.

The PBA Governors’ Cup will start on 17 August.