NLEX hires NBA veteran

MANILA, Philippines — Undefeated NLEX has tapped Wayne Selden Jr. to replace the highly impressive Jonathon Simmons with hopes of sustaining its smooth drive so far in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

In a statement yesterday, the Road Warriors introduced Selden, an NBA veteran like Simmons, as their new import.

Selden arrived over the weekend just as Simmons left the country to play in China.

NLEX coach Frankie Lim told The STAR that Selden attended practice the last two days.

“Okay naman. Tinuro lang namin ang plays,” said Lim.

The Road Warriors are hoping that Selden can fill the big shoes of Simmons, who steered the team to a blazing 4-0 start for a share of early lead with San Miguel Beer and Converge.

Simmons, bound to see action in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), registered 37.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists as NLEX ran laps against Blackwater, 124-102, Northport 121-112, TNT, 110-108, and Phoenix Super LPG, 98-84.

“We are hoping that Wayne can sustain the momentum that we have,” said NLEX team manager Larry Fonacier.

Selden, 28, boasts a solid resume highlighted by a six-year stint in the NBA despite going undrafted in the 2016 draft.

A product of the University of Kansas, the 6-foot-5 winger suited up for the New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks before stamping his class in various leagues in Turkey, Italy and Israel.

In 2021, he was named MVP in Ironi Ness Ziona’s historic FIBA Europe Cup championship. He also played in the NBA GLeague and for Team USA in the 2015 World University Games.

Selden is in for a baptism of fire as NLEX stakes its unblemished slate tomorrow against reigning champion and crowd favorite Ginebra featuring Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized player Justin Brownlee.