With no NBA takers, Andray Blatche inks deal to play in China

MANILA, Philippines – Naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche will play in China for the Xinjian Guanghui Flying Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

Philippines’ centre Andray Blatche gestures during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group B match Philippines vs Puerto Rico at the Palacio Municipal de Deportes in Sevilla on September 3, 2014. AFP FILE PHOTO

Blatche reportedly inked a one-year deal and will earn $2.5 million for the Flying Tigers, who were runners-up in four of the previous six CBA seasons including last year.

The 6-foot-11 Blatche last played for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA before leading the Philippines in the recently-concluded Fiba World Cup in Spain, where he averaged 21.2 points and 13.8 rebounds per game.

Blatche was supposed to see action for Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea but a three-year residency rule barred the forward/center from suiting up. Marcus Douthit, who helped Gilas bag a silver medal in the 2013 Fiba Asia Championship, was tapped to replace Blatche in the lineup.

Before opting to play in China, the 28-year-old Blatche reportedly met with the Toronto Raptors and the Miami Heat.

Apart from Blatche, the Flying Tigers also signed another NBA free agent Jordan Crawford. Crawford last played for the Golden State Warriors and averaged 8.4 points per game.

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