Three-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Best Import of the Conference Awardee and six-time PBA Champion Justin Brownlee withdraws from 2023 FIBA World Cup contention as the sole naturalized option on the squad.
With the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) acquiring the services of former National Basketball Association (NBA) Sixth-Man-of-the-Year, Jordan Clarkson for the August mecca of basketball, Brownlee remains optimistic regarding the federation’s direction of supplying the program with NBA caliber-talent.
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The recently naturalized cager debuted in the country’s 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifier against Lebanon, reclaimed the gold at the recent Southeast Asian Games, and joined the national roster throughout their European campaign in preparation for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Evidenced by his near-decade tenure in the local professional league, the resident import of the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings procured a promising international resume leading to the selection of the final-12—though selflessly handed the mantle to Clarkson with news of his commitment to the squad.
“I understand that. I’m just grateful for the opportunity that I can help make the team better and help with whatever I can help with to push the team forward,” Brownlee mentioned in an interview with Rappler.
Despite his absence on the hardwood come August 25th, the 35-year-old will continue to represent the country in the Hangzhou, China-rendition of the Asian Games come September.
