VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s Saigon Heat basketball club have invested big ahead of the 2018-19 ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) season.

Cadadian Murphy Burnatowski (first right) is expected to help Saigon Heat shine at the upcoming ABL. — Photo zing.vn

The club have signed experienced international players, including American-Puerto Rican Trevon Hughes, Kyle Barone of the US, and Canadian Murphy Burnatowski.

Among them, Burnatowski has previously represented the Canadian basketball team.

The Heat’s coach Kyle Julius is really proud of his new player.

“Everywhere he goes, he wins,” said Julius.

“I have known him for over 15 years. Murphy [Burnatowski] is extremely skillful and versatile. He can play well in position of 2, 3 and 4. He is even strong enough to play in 5. He’s got such tremendous skillset. Murphy can shoot the three really well, he is a great passer and he is a really good ball handler,” Julius added.

Burnatowski has an outstanding resume. The 27-year-old is a reigning champion of the Swiss basketball league, where he was named an all-star. He has played at various levels throughout Europe, the US and Canada.

He has also represented the Canadian basketball team at multiple international tournaments and attended a tryout for the NBA’s Toronto Raptors last year.

“I’m extremely excited to be joining the Heat and the growing ABL. The Heat have a tremendous fan base and with the group of guys we have coming in, under a long time mentor of my coach Julius, I’m confident in having the best season the Heat have seen yet,” said Burnatowski.

The Heat’s CEO, Connor Nguyen, said his team are in the process of building a new culture and this is a very important factor for the team’s success this year.

“The foundation to build this culture is based on spirit, effort of working and fighting wholeheartedly of players. Our players are selected from leading teams in the country,” he said.

“All of them are not only good at skills but they also respond to all demands of coach Julius to build a new culture for the team.

“I hope that the Heat will be an outstanding representative for HCM City basketball as well as Viet Nam basketbal.”

There will be a record-high 10 teams competing in 2018-19 season including San Miguel Alab Pilipinas (Philippines), Westports Malaysia Dragons (Malaysia), and Singapore Slingers (Singapore).

The season will start on November 16. The Heat will face CLS Knights of Indonesia in their first match in Surabaya, Indonesia, on November 18.

Source: VNS