A HIGH school teammate and childhood friend of NBA superstar LeBron James will be reinforcing an Alaska side aching to redeem itself after struggling in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Alaska coach Alex Compton told Spin.ph on Monday that Romeo Travis has signed on after days of negotiation between the Aces and the former St. Vincent-St. Mary high school forward who is coming off a stint in the Russian league.
“The Russian tournament just ended so he’ll (Romeo) be here by tomorrow night (Tuesday),” Compton said.
Travis played a big role in St. Vincent-St. Mary high school team’s 2003 national championship. He was a member of the squad’s 'Fab Five' that included James, Dru Joyce III, Sian Cotton and Willie McGee.
The 30-year-old Travis is coming off an impressive stint with the Krasny Oktyabr in the Russian league marked by averages of 11.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.2 assist in 24 games.
After high school, the 220-pound Travis played four years for Akron in college, averaging 14.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 blocks but went undrafted in the NBA rookie draft in 2007.
Instead, the Akron native made a name for himself in Israel’s pro league.
The well-traveled Travis was named All-Israeli League Player of the Year, All-Israeli League Forward of the Year, All-Israeli League First Team, Israeli League All-Imports Team, All-Balkan League Forward of the Year, All-Balkan League First Team and All-Balkans League All-Imports Team by Eurobasket.com during the 2012 season.
Compton described Alaska’s incoming import as an “intelligent and strong basketball player, who can both play the wing and four (power forward) positions.”
“He’s also a dominant player and can fit in a system. That’s my evaluation of him,” he added. “Looking at the league he has played in Europe, he has a variety of style of play, and he really knows how to play.”
The Aces limped to a 5-8 record in the Commissioner’s Cup after suffering a 2-0 sweep at the hands of the Purefoods Star Hotshots in the quarterfinals.
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