FORMER NBA player Nick Young has been signed by Strong Group for the 2023 Dubai International Championship.
Coach Charles Tiu confirmed the development with the 11-year NBA veteran being the first player to ink a deal with the Jacob Lao-owned squad.
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"I got a chance to speak with Nick a few weeks ago just to see how serious he was to play for our team. It was a nice chance to get to know him a bit. He said he wants to prove he can still play and has been staying in shape," he said.
Young, 37, expressed interest playing in the country earlier this month.
He is set to to practice in Manila with his teammates before the team leaves for Dubai for the invitational tournament set Jan. 27 to Feb. 5.

Young was picked 16th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards and also had stops with the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers, before winning an NBA ring with the Golden State Warriors in 2018.
He last played in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets, playing just four games in 2018, before taking his act to the Big3 league.
"We are hoping he can still be the explosive scorer that we know him to be. We think the Filipino fans will love him," said Tiu.
More players are expected to be named by Strong Group in the coming days.
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