Former NBA and PBA forward Chris McCullough will return to Taiwan’s P. LEAGUE to play for the Formosa Taishin Dreamers, the Taichung-based club announced Monday.
The 28-year-old 2.08-meter-tall American frontcourt player was picked 29th in the 2015 NBA draft and played a total of 59 games for the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards between 2015 and 2018.
McCullough is also a fan favorite in the Philippines after helping to lead the San Miguel Beermen to the PBA’s 2019 Commissioner’s Cup championship.
The national sport association for basketball in the Philippines, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), was so impressed with McCullough that it considered him as a possible naturalized player for Gilas Pilipinas, according to Philippine media.
During Taiwan’s P. LEAGUE+ 2021-2022 season, McCullough played for the New Taipei Kings where he averaged 20.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks in seven games.
Unfortunately, he returned to the United States for surgery after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during a game against the Taoyuan Pilots on March 8, 2022.
Dreamers’ general manager Jonathan Han (???) said in a statement that McCullough’s skill on the court is obvious, and the team does not doubt his ability even though of the injury he sustained last season.
“He has experienced very hard rehabilitation for a while, and he also faced it with a very positive attitude. We all believe that he can make his comeback from the injury with energy, successfully integrate with his teammates, and improve the overall aggressiveness of the team,” Han said.
According to Filipino sports website Sports Interactive Network (SPIN.PH), McCullough turned down an offer to play for the San Miguel Beermen in the upcoming East Asia Super League (EASL) Champions Week, held March 1-5 in Japan.
The San Miguel Beermen is slated to play two games in the Champions Week group stage against Japanese team, Ryukyu Golden Kings on March 2 in Utsunomiya and South Korean team Anyang KGC in Okinawa on March 4.
Depending on their group stage finish, the San Miguel Beermen may either compete for third place or advance to the final game on March 5.
“Didn’t sign with anyone. Need to make sure I’m okay and in right shape,” McCullough said on Twitter on Jan. 26. “Wasn’t a fail, just thinking long term take my time coming back way much basketball than 4 games in one week.”
McCullough added on Jan. 26 that he was not rushing as he still has a long career ahead of him and that he has given himself five weeks to get in shape.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel