Brickman longs for home after end of ABL stint

Long just a blip in Filipino basketball fans’ radars, Filipino-American Jason Brickman has finally set his sights on playing on home soil.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and right now is the best opportunity to do that,” he told the press during Mighty Sports’ thanksgiving dinner on Sunday at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

“I’m still working on my papers. Hopefully, I could get that done by the end of the year, and go to the PBA draft,” he added.

Brickman, who has made commendable tours of duty in the United States’ NCAA and club leagues overseas, looks to follow the footsteps of Stanley Pringle, Justin Melton, Chris Banchero, Matthew Wright, Christian Standhardinger, and Paul Zamar who all played in the Asean Basketball Leagu (ABL) before making the jump to the Philippine Basketball Association.

In 2014, he signified interest in playing for Philippine team, then bracing for a World Cup stint. A Fiba (international basketball federation) rule on eligibility hindered Brickman from realizing his dream.

Born in San Antonio, Texas, Brickman hopes his second stint with Mighty Sports will prepare him for the PBA.
There, he joins a squad bannered by do-it-all PBA import Justin Brownlee, two-time NBA champion Lamar Odom and a crop of renowned amateurs.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to represent the Philippines. We have a lot of good local players,” Brickman, 27, said.

“There’s gonna be some very good teams there. I’m looking forward to play and do whatever I can to help the team,” he said of the contest that will feature 10 teams and will run from Feb. 1 to 9 in Dubai.

The last time Brickman suited up for the Mighty quintet was in 2016 when the team saw action in the Merlion Cup and William Jones Cup.

Brickman, a champion in the ABL and a Finals MVP, was recently released by Mono Vampire, the team he helped steer into the Finals last season.
“I’m focused on getting in to this draft—the one coming up,” he said. “Now that I’m out of any contracts, I’m focusing my energy [into that.]”