Basketball: We aim to develop basketball in Asia, says Smith

US Professional Basketball Alumni Association (PBAA) chief executive officer Charles Smith (left) and top dunker Guy

PETALING JAYA: Basketball fans are in for a treat as the US Professional Basketball Association Alumni (PBAA) All Stars will be gracing Malaysian shores once more.

Last year, the likes of Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, Mitch Richmond, Dennis Rodman and Jason Williams combined to play an exhibition match against the Asean Basketball League (ABL) All Stars, which featured a host of Westports Malaysia Dragons players.

Pippen, Grant and Richmond will not return this year but the charismatic Rodman and Williams will be back.

They will be joined by another trio of retired NBA stars – Michael Finley, Latrell Sprewell and Doug Christie – as they go up against an Asia All Star team featuring two Malaysian players at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Nov 2.

PBAA chief executive officer Charles Smith said that they had a long-term goal aimed at helping basketball develop in this region. And he is even hoping for a better turnout this year.

“This is always going to be a long-term thing. We are not here just once because we want to play a part in the growth of basketball in this region,” said Smith, who played for the LA Clippers, New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs from 1988-1997.

“After the first time we came, we realised that basketball is an up-and-coming sport in Malaysia, perhaps after soccer (football) and badminton.

“Personally, I admire what the Westports Malaysia Dragons have done and we want to be involved in here for the long term too, maybe for the next 10-20 years.

“The fans’ reception last year was fantastic. But this time we are going after those who are not basketball fans as well, and hopefully convert them into fans after our visit.

“As for our line-up, we’ll have Finley, who only retired not too long ago and can still play at a high level, Sprewell, who no one has seen in a long time, as well as Williams, Rodman and Christie.

“It is going to be exciting.”