KAI Sotto described as “crazy” the move of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas preventing William Navarro from playing with the Seoul Thunders in the Korean Basketball League.
In his Instagram story and Twitter account, the Adelaide 36ers big man said that the action must stop as it curtails the freewill of the player to choose his career path.
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“I’m sorry but this is crazy. THIS HAS TO STOP,” wrote Sotto, Navarro’s teammate with Gilas Pilipinas in several international tournaments. “You got players who’ve been working hard and dreaming to play basketball at the highest level they can reach and we got our own people stopping us from achieving our greatness.”
“At the end of the day, one's success is ‘everyone's.’ So we have to help each other go up! Not down,” said Sotto.
Will Navarro signed with Seoul in the KBL in July.
Navarro is reportedly not suiting up for the Seoul Thunders in the KBL after failing to receive a letter of clearance, a certificate provided by Fiba being issued by the national federation that would allow players to transfer internationally.
Sources confirmed that Navarro was not given a clearance as he still has a live contract with Gilas Pilipinas until March 2023.
SPIN learned that Navarro’s camp is disappointed with the decision more so that he is committed to play for Gilas Pilipinas, with his contract allowing him to suit up for the national team if called upon.
Navarro became part of Gilas Pilipinas after being selected second by NorthPort in the PBA Season 46 draft.
Incidentally, Jordan Heading, who was in the same draft class, is set to play in Japan after his stint in Taiwan.
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