CHICAGO — July 31, 2025 had to be one of the happiest birthdays in the beautiful life of Jamie Malonzo.
On that Thursday a year ago, the Kyoto Hannaryz announced the signing of the then Barangay Ginebra and Gilas Pilipinas star.
But the relationship never came close to “ever after.” It ended instead on a quick “see you later.”
READ B.League says 3-import rule will raise level of Japan basketball
On October 17, 2025, just five games into the 2025-26 Japan B.League season, Malonzo was cut after averaging only 1.2 points and 1.0 rebounds while logging a meager 30 playing minutes overall.
Jamie told me last December that his salary was guaranteed for a full year, which is great, but he was out of a team.
'BAD FIT' NARRATIVE MAKES SENSE NOW.
Why a player of Malonzo’s credentials and caliber was waived unceremoniously, paying him to walk away, remained a mystery.
Until now.
Per multiple sources in Japan, there was fierce unhappiness that Malonzo’s representation, intentionally or inadvertently, allegedly misrepresented his height and ability to play as a big.
Kyoto, I was told, thought they acquired a stud taller than 6-foot-7 and bigger than 210 pounds who can fill the power forward spot or man the middle.
Which is why teams need to do more due diligence when scouting Asian imports and not just rely on word-of-mouth and YouTube highlights.
SECOND CHANCE.
Ten months after severing ties with Malonzo, guess who the Kyoto Hannaryz signed to fill their long-vacant Asian import quota slot?
Michael “Motor Mike” Phillips, a rumbling, rim-protecting 6-foot-8, 230-pound center-forward who eats rebounds for a hobby.
With patience and a rich war chest, the Kyoto Hannaryz finally got the Asian reinforcement they desire.
Meanwhile, Jamie Malonzo, now pushing 30, is back in the Japan B.League via the Earthfriends Tokyo Z.
His return took nearly a year to come to fruition, but happy endings take time.
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