SEDRICK Barefield is expected to arrive sometime this week to join Blackwater in its preparations for the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup.
Bossing coach Jeff Cariaso said they are hopeful that Barefield, the second pick in the draft, will contribute to the team’s bid to reach the playoffs.
“I’m pushing him to come no later than maybe Thursday or Friday,” Cariaso said.
“We still have time. When he gets here, we will have a little bit over two weeks to prepare.”
The 6-foot-2 Barefield comes to the PBA after stints with Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Summer League and the Oklahoma City Blue in the NBA G League in 2022.
The 27-year-old Barefield also had a stint with the Bay Area Dragons during the 2023 EASL Champions Week, and the Taipei Fubon Braves in the Taiwan league last year.
With their rookie’s credentials, Cariaso is confident that Barefield can boost the Bossing’s playoff chances for the coming season.
“We feel like he gives us not just one step forward but two steps forward. That’s how good he is. We all know how hard our league is. A lot of things has to happen. Our younger guys, we are relying on who will have to step up, and make the next level, and play another level," he said.
“We fell like him coming on board will boost what we are building. We are looking forward to have him."
Cariaso also believes that their third rounder DJ Mitchell will also lift Blackwater in the coming season. Mitchell is a product of University of Hartford who became known for his outside shooting.
“It’s kind of crazy because we see him getting picked up earlier – second round, mid-second round. When he was available, he was the last guy on our list that we liked. I know it’s another guard but we know that the Philippines is a guard-heavy league so we see him again as one guy that can contribute," he said.
“His biggest strength is putting the ball in the basket. What’s nice in the Combine, although it was only a couple of games, he showed different aspects of his game in the Combine that we like."
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