FILE – AJ Edu . –FIBA BASKETBALL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines— Gilas Pilipinas prospect AJ Edu is set to make his pro debut as he signed on to play in the Japan B.League.
Edu, who is included in Gilas Pilipinas’ 21-man pool for the Fiba World Cup 2023, was signed by Toyama Grousers. He is the second Filipino-American player to don play for the team after Dwight Ramos.
The 6-foot-10 Cypriot-born Filipino bruiser expressed his excitement via team announcement on Tuesday.
“[I’m] really excited to begin my professional basketball journey [with the] Toyama Grouses! Looking forward to meeting all the staff, players, and fans, and giving my best on the court for you guys,” Edu said in a team statement.
✨🏀選手契約基本合意🐔✨
このたび #富山グラウジーズ では #エージェーエドゥ 選手とのB.LEAGUE 2023-24シーズンの選手契約が基本合意に達しましたので、お知らせいたします！
👉https://t.co/KQPVIVuJi7 pic.twitter.com/0qsGrS9LKX— 富山グラウジーズ (@toyamagrouses) June 20, 2023
The 23-year-old Edu is coming off of his third knee injury in three years.
Edu suited up with Batang Gilas back in 2018 where he showed his prowess in the paint in his debut against Bahrain.
Alongside Kai Sotto, Edu recorded a monster double-double with 16 points and 17 rebounds–numbers he looks to bring over in Japan–as the Philippines knocked back Bahrain, 67-52.
Edu is not the Filipino player to make a recent move to the Japan B.League, where several imports have been plying their trade since Thirdy Ravena in 2020. Former PBA guard Robert Bolick signed with B.League Division 2 club Fukushima Firebonds last month.
Earlier today, another Filipino was signed in an overseas professional league with Juan Gomez de Liaño joining the Seoul SK Knights in the Korean Basketball League.