Imported U.S. players to boost Indonesia's basketball league

JAKARTA (JP): Local basketball fans are sure to enjoy the addition of U.S. players in the national semi-professional league (Kobatama) which starts at the end of this month.

The imports, most of whom are transfers from clubs which join the National College Amateur Association (NCAA), will form the backbone of eight top Javanese clubs during the four-leg competitions.

Gresik, East Java-based Petrogres will get Craig Barry and Martez Corvington, Mike King joins Pacific of Surabaya, East Java, Trasel Rone in Jakarta-based Indonesia Muda and Bima Sakti of Malang, East Java will be powered by Morgan Wheat.

Another Surabaya club, CLS, will have Kennard Robinson while Siliwangi of Bandung, West Java recruited Dan Gray.

Semarang, Central Java-based Glory signed Norman Marbury and former champion Pelita Jaya hired Glenn Griffith.

Vice chairman of the Indonesian basketball association (Perbasi) Sugiarto said on Thursday that Perbasi, Kobatama organizers, Hong Kong-based sports agent Spectrum and the Surabaya-based private TV station SCTV sponsored the franchise.

"Imported players are expected to boost the performance of local talents," Sugiarto said. Chinese signings will also play here for defending champion Aspac and Hadtex.

None of the four parties was willing to disclose the amount paid for the franchise.

"This is my first outing. I came here to get as many experiences as possible," the 22-year-old King of Sacramento State, California said.

Marbury, a St. Francis College product who was once among America's 50 top student players, will also make his overseas debut.

The first leg will run here from Sept. 28 to Oct. 10, before moving to Surabaya on Oct. 26 to 29. The third leg will also take place in Surabaya from Oct. 24 to 27.

The finals, which also decide the rankings of each participating club, will be staged here from Dec. 14 to 18. (amd)