Raymond Townsend – The First Filipino Nba Player


advertisement

Have you ever think that a Filipino can enter a NBA league?

If your answer is no, then your wrong, the very first asian that entered the NBA league was named Raymond Anthony Townsend, born 20 th of December, year 1955 in San Jose, California.

Photos from http://3critical.wordpress.com/

He is a 6′3 “, 175 lbs point guard from UCLA where he was last selected in the first part (of 22 in general) a year in 1978 NBA draft by Golden State Warriors. He is the son of Raymond Ray Sr.. an American, and former Virginia taga-Marella, to please a Pinay from Balayan, Batangas. For his being Pilipino – American race and manglalarong first Pinoy NBA.

Townsend’s mother, the former Virginia Marella, is a Filipina from Balayan, Batangas while his father, Ray Sr., is American. His brother, Kurtis Townsend, is currently an assistant coach for the University of Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team which won the 2008 NCAA Championship.

Finished his NBA career in 1982 as a member of the Indiana Pacers team.

A 1976 Sports Illustrated issue featured Townsend’s father, Ray Sr., in its “Faces in the Crowd” section. He was recognized as “the oldest junior college basketball player in history.” At age 39, he was the second man off the bench Raymond you live, proof can be Sukkar in NBA

Currently, Raymond was a liaison to paunlad a game for youth to visit San Jose, Califronia, Townsend was also honored as UCLA Pilipino Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumnus of the year on 2nd of May, year 2009.

Ricardo Brown was drafted by the Houston Rockets back in the 80’s as well. He ended his colorful pro basketball career back in the Philippines Basketball Association (PBA) donning the San Miguel Beermen jersey and was included in the league’s Hall of Fame.

Back in the 90’s, Johnny Abarrientos of the PBA’s Alaska Aces was scouted by the Charlotte Hornets and was considered to be drafted. But it was his prime in the PBA back then that he did not accept the offer since the NBA could not assure him of a long-term career in the premier American league.

Article Source

Related Posts

        
advertisement

Leave a Reply