Gilas Pilipinas’ William Navarro. –FIBA BASKETBALL
MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas cadet William Navarro has signed with Seoul Samsung in the 2022-23 Korean Basketball League (KBL).
Korean news website Jumpball reported on Thursday that the Thunders welcomed the 25-year-old big man out of Ateneo under their Asian player quota.
The website said Navarro will join Seoul after the 2022 Fiba Asia Cup from July 12 to 24 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Thunders are seeking to rise from a last-place finish, 9-45, in the previous 2021-22 season.
The 6-foot-6 forward became the fifth Filipino who signed up as an import in the KBL, joining SJ Belangel of Daegu Kogas, RJ Abarrientos of Ulsan Hyundai Mobis, Justin Gutang of Changwon LG, and Ethan Alvano of Wonju DB.
Navarro played a pair of tune-up games against Korea men’s basketball team last June before playing in the third window of the Fiba World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers.
He had 11 points, four rebounds, and two steals as Gilas Pilipinas beat India, 79-63, last Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Navarro, who last played for the Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 82 last 2019, was drafted second by NorthPort in the special Gilas round in last year’s PBA Rookie Draft.