Alaska looks for new import as 1st choice Branden Dawson exceeds height limit

FILE – Branden Dawson of the Michigan State Spartans. Streeter Lecka/Getty Images/AFP

MANILA, Philippines—Alaska was left searching for another reinforcement after its original choice Branden Dawson failed to meet the height limit for the upcoming 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup slated later this month.

Dawson, the former Michigan State Spartan, measured a quarter over the 6-foot-5 ceiling for imports, as per the PBA website.

Aces new head coach Jeffrey Cariaso and some of his staff members were present during the measurement at the PBA Office in Libis on Monday.

The 26-year-old Dawson was a late second round pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2015 NBA Draft before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on the same day.

He only played six games for the Clippers, who eventually waived him.

Alaska, which tapped Cariaso to replace Alex Compton at the helm two weeks ago, will have to find a replacement for Dawson fast with the season-ending conference scheduled to tip off on September 20.