FIL-Am guard Stephen Holt has seen action around the world. He now gets the chance to show his wares in his mother’s homeland.
“It’s definitely one of my goals in my career to play in the PBA. You know, I started my career trying to pursue my NBA dream,” Holt said via Zoom in Portland two nights back.
“It fell a little bit short but then I was able to have a long career in Europe and played in some high-level leagues,” he added.
The 6-foot-1 Holt spoke after he was drafted first overall by Terrafirma in the 48th season PBA rookie Draft.
Holt, 31, is in the United States to be with his wife who has just given birth.
The Dyip’s new hope who could turn their fortunes around suited up for Saint Mary’s in the US NCAA Division I play.
After his collegiate stint and going undrafted in the NBA, Holt played as a pro in the NBA G-League and overseas with stops in Australia, Spain, Poland, Kazakhstan, Slovenia, and Romania.
Holt also turned down offers from European leagues for Asia’s first play-for-pay league.
“The opportunity came about in June for me to get my Philippine passport,” Holt said. “I talked with my agent all this time and it was a no-brainer for me to take advantage of that and make the jump over to the PBA.
“I had to fully commit, turn down a bunch of European offers this summer, and really just want to commit to the PBA for this upcoming year so I’m very excited,” he added.
Holt said he will do whatever it takes to help Terrafirma reach new heights.
“I’m definitely gonna try and make an impact on and off the floor,” he said.
Six-foot-6 Fil-Canadian big man Christian David out of Butler University was chosen No. 2 by Blackwater in the first round where Fil-foreign players made up 11 of the 12 selections.
