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| Andray Blatche reportedly signed a one-year contract with NBA option to play for CBA's Xinjiang Flying Tigers. FIBA (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
Gilas Pilipinas star Andray Blatche is set to take his talents to China as he reportedly agreed on a one-year deal with CBA team Xinjiang Flying Tigers.
ASM Sports, which represents Blatche, first broke the news out through its Twitter account.
According to ASM, the Flying Tigers, who lost in last season's CBA Finals to the Stephon Marbury-powered Beijing Ducks, feel "Andray is the final piece to a championship contender."
The said athlete management outfit also said, "Andray is extremely excited to be joining a 1st-class club & looks forward to building relationships throughout the Pacific Rim."
Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski added that the deal is worth US$2.5 million with an option to return to the NBA by March.
The former Brooklyn Net will join former Boston Celtic Jordan Crawford as Xinjiang's foreign reinforcements.
Blatche spearheaded Gilas Pilipinas' campaign in the FIBA World Cup, where he ranked among the Top 5 in points and rebounds.
Blatche was included in the initial Gilas roster for the Asian Games, but a three-year residency rule for naturalized players prompted Coach Chot Reyes to bring back Marcus Douthit.
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