JAPETH Aguilar’s determined bid to crash the NBA took a pleasant turn when he got into the NBA Development League.
The 6-foot-10 Aguilar became the first Filipino to be drafted in the D-League, which serves as training ground of the world’s top cage pros, after the former Ateneo Blue Eagle and Western Kentucky Hilltopper was picked in the seventh round by the Santa Cruz Warriors.
The 2009 PBA top overall pick must now land in the regular roster of the Santa Cruz Warriors, the D-League affiliate of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, before the league’s opener on Nov. 23.
“Thank you Lord! God is in control of everything. I will work hard for the next two weeks,” Aguilar posted on his Twitter account @japethaguilar25 after the Warriors tabbed him at 109th overall.
The Warriors will open their season against the Reno Bighorns on Nov. 30 at the Reno Events Center in Nevada.
Aguilar played for Talk ‘N Text in the PBA and the Smart Gilas national team and hopes to get a call-up from an NBA squad. Last year, 60 D-League ballers were called up to the NBA.
Filipino-American Avery Scharer, who was also hoping to join Aguilar, wasn’t included in the list of eligible players for the 2012 NBA D-League Draft.