Image shamelessly stolen from Slingers website.
As of today, Singapore Slingers has confirmed 8 other players (with 4 more to go) who will be representing Singapore for ABL from October 2009 – February 2010. Of the 8 already announced - 4 of them were from last season.
Comprising of mainly locals unlike previous seasons, this is perhaps Bob Turner's (Owner of Singapore Slingers) thoughtful way to improve local basketball standards. The current local Slingers roster are familiar names we have seen before in previous seasons - Hong Wei Jian, Pathman Matialakan, Desmond Oh Wei Jie and yes, Michael Wong! Other Singaporean players are Wong Wei Long, Steven Khoo Kian Huat and Lim Wai Sian. Michael due to work commitments like Wei Long and Steven will join the team as part-time basis.
The 3 import players are Kyle Jeffers (Playing for the Langen, Germany team Stats: 14.5ppg, 9.9rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 61.6%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 55.5%, College team - Oregon State Beavers, USA), Michael LeBlanc (Plays in Asia quite a bit and used to play for the Malaysia team, see video highlights below against the Slingers last season scoring 27pts, USA) and Al Vergara (Philippines) who was here last season. With 4 more places to go, there is still no news of more Darren and Eric. I know many of you like Darren "Doc" Ng. I personally would hope Slingers try to get back as well - poster bad boy, Eric Sandrin.
I have not watched these locals play together before, and unsure of their synergy. Will they be able to match up to last year's great roster which had both offense and defense along with good physique and stamina? One thing for sure, this will be a great opportunity for our young local players to gain some exposure and shut all local Singaporeans up, whom have often criticize the Slingers being a foreign team. Playing in my very own Spartans team in the current Jammers league with 3 straight wins so far, we have achieved top 5 team placing, it is often so sweet when you play hard with great team work and sportsmanship. So do come support your very own.
Anyway more news about the league can be found here.
And I already have crazy bball friends asking about group tickets, season passes and corporate boxes etc, which can be found here.
Here are some video clips of our upcoming new foreign Michael LeBlanc, though he looks a bit of a solo player with strengths on the inside and shoots well on treys.
