Import Lowhorn gets high marks from teammates after week with Ginebra

 

“He’s gonna be an exciting import, hopefully,” Ginebra guard Josh Urbiztondo says of import Dior Lowhorn.

AFTER just five days of practice with Barangay Ginebra, import Dior Lowhorn has already made quite an impression on his new teammates.

The University of San Francisco product is described by team staff as a flashier version of Nate Brumfield, the former Ginebra import who led the team to a runner-up finish in the 2011 Commissioner’s Cup.

Brumfield was well loved by Ginebra's legion of fans and Kings guard Josh Urbiztondo believes Lowhorn is bound to win the hearts of the team's supporters in no time.

“He’s similar to former Ginebra import Brumfield. He’s very strong. He’s a workhorse and can finish down low. He’s strong down there in the paint,” Urbiztondo said. “He’s gonna be an exciting import, hopefully.”

“I would say (he’s more agile than Nate), but I can’t really compare him. He is his own player. And he’s only been here for a week. But he has lots of strength,” added Urbiztondo.

Urbiztondo had the chance to play with Lowhorn in the past in the US Pro-Am league in San Francisco, the same league where NBA star Jeremy Lin and Diamon Simpson are playing in this summer.

“We’re practically from the same area (in San Francisco). We know a lot of same people. What’s good about Dior is the way he bonds with our teammates. He gets along well,” said the 6-1 sentinel.

Lowhorn first made waves in the Asean Basketball League as import for the Saigon Heat, where he shone in the recently concluded season with averages of 26.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.

His stint, however, was cut short by a knee injury suffered in a road game against San Miguel Beer last April 17.

Urbiztondo said the Berkeley, California native is back in top shape.

“He’s actually in good shape right now. He’s just adjusting to the heat. But overall he’s looking good,” said the Fil-American guard. “The knee injury is not bothering him at all. He’s fine. He’s dunking all the time.”

Undrafted in the 2010 NBA draft, Lowhorn recently played a major role for popular video game NBA2k14 when he helped simulate the shooting, dunking, dribbling, defense and post moves of some NBA players.

Lowhorn, though, admitted that he is not into video gaming.

Meanwhile, there’s no more hurdle to Lowhorn’s participation in the coming Governors Cup, set to open on August 14, as he made the 6-5 height limit on Friday when he was measured ar 6’4 ¾”.

Other incoming imports already measured were Rain or Shine's Arizona Reid (6’3”) and Globalport’s Markeith Cummings (6’4 3/8”).

Barako Bull’s Michael Singletary will be measured at the PBA office in the presence of representatives from other PBA ballclubs on Monday.