CHICAGO - When it comes to balling, Deschon Winston isn't much into low-key introductions. He doesn't knock on doors, he bursts through them with the energy of a power plant.
Which is what happened in his Philippine debut, dropping 22.6 points, six rebounds and three steals to help La Salle beat University of the East, 71-66, in a UAAP Season 84 duel last March 2022.
Three years later, Winston is channeling that same take-no-prisoners mentality with the Converge FiberXers, the team that picked him 9th overall in the 2023 PBA Rookie Draft.
PBA TAKEAWAYS: Fiery Winston stepping out of Twin Towers' shadow
After a year of weaning and learning and adapting to the physical play in the pro ranks, the 26-year old Fil-Am from LA is flickering with All-Star potential in a loaded squad that just came off a semifinals run in the Commissioner's Cup.
Through five games in the ongoing Philippine Cup, Winston is averaging a robust 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and three assists. He is ranked No. 12 in the conference in 2-point field goals made with 34 and he is No. 13 in steals with nine.
SHADES OF DEROZAN.
"Winston is a solid player," a current PBA TV broadcast analyst told me, adding that "he is a master of the mid-range game, a sort of DeMar DeRozan prototype."
At 6-foot-4, Schonny is also a reliable defender who moves his feet well and uses his buff 190-pound frame to slow and stymie his cover.
"I just keep working hard to be a good facilitator to get my teammates involved and continue to study game film so I can be more effective on both ends of the floor," the former Central Michigan guard told me via text message on Monday night.
With increased production and the consistency demanded from the elite athletes, Winston could be in the running for Best Player of the Conference honors like he was as an MVP candidate in the UAAP's Season 85.
Either way, Schonny will get the bag once when his contract is up for renewal this coming September.
HOW RICH?
That's unclear, but Schonny stands to earn more than that P250,000 a month he collected in his rookie season and larger than the P325,000 a month he is pulling in now as a sophomore.
The PBA max is P425,000 a month not including incentives.
According to a team official who requested anonymity, Converge is not only willing to sign Schonny, they are eager to do it.
But the dollar signs are farthest from Schonny's mind.
"Don't really think about it too much right now. I try to focus on winning the conference championship. Will talk with management after the conference so we'll see what happens."
Not a bad approach.
Do what you love and do it well. The money is sure to follow.
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