Friday, January 08, 2010

SBL import situation update

ShawnHawkins-1 ShawnHawkins-2

(In picture: Shawn Hawkins, source: Apple Daily)

SBL teams decided to look for those imports they were familiar with due to the short amount of time for preparation for the new season.

Jonathan Sanders was brought back to play for his third team in third season with the Taiwanese league, while Dacin re-signed Byron Allen, who helped the team to its first title last year. Delvin Thomas was also back after three years, this time playing for Taiwan Beer.

Taiwan Mobile is still looking for an import player. Yulon has made clear that it will not sign any import before the lunar new year (early February).

The SBL finally allows all teams to sign imports. With the limited time, I believe most of the teams are lack of contacts of sports agencies and time to test players. Maybe they will have a more systematic approach next year.

Import information is listed below, including salary information estimated by Apple Daily:

Pure Youth Construction
Jon Sanders
28, 200cm/92kg, St. Mary's
US$7,000/month
2006-07 Videoland Hunters
2007-08 Dmedia Numens
Led SBL in rebounding in 06-07 and 07-08... led SBL in assists in 07-08... named to All-SBL team twice in two years... averaged 23.5 points and 16.3 rebounds in 2006-07 and turned in 21.3 points, 16.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game in 2007-08.

Dacin Tigers
Byron Allen
28, 198cm/126kg, Northwestern State
US$7,000/month
2008-09 Dacin Tigers
Named All-SBL team and led the league in rebounding in 08-09... averaged 12.1 points and 9.9 rebounds.

Taiwan Beer
Delvin Thomas
31, 200cm/102kg, Bethune Cookman
US$7,000/month
2006-07 ETSN Antelopes
Averaged 17.3 points, 9.6 rebounds and two blocks in 06-07

Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor
Shawn Hawkins
27, 198cm/103kg, Long Beach State
US$10,000/month

Bank of Taiwan
Jeff Jones
26, 200cm/103kg, New Mexico State
US$6,000/month