By REYNALD MAGALLON
Matthew Wright is not letting go of the teal colored jersey as he is set to sport one the next time he steps on the floor.
But not in the PBA.
The 6-foot-4 sharpshooter is taking his act to the Japan B. League after signing with Division I team Kyoto Hannaryz, the team announced on Friday, Sept. 2.
“I am excited to embark on this new journey and looking forward to reuniting with coach Roy Rana. I’m eager to help take this team to the next level and build a winning culture with the organization.Thank you to all the supporters and I look forward to seeing you at the games,” Wright said in a team statement.
The announcement came two days after Wright and his PBA team Phoenix officially parted ways after the two camps failed to reach an agreement for a contract extension. Wright’s contract with Phoenix officially ended last Wednesday, Aug. 31, ceasing a six-year tenure with the team which drafted him in 2016 during the Gilas special draft.
Wright since then had become the cornerstone of the franchise averaging 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in his first five years with the team. He was also regarded as one of the league’s elite shooters and had numerous stints with Gilas Pilipinas as well.
Wright will be joining a slew of Filipino talents in the B. League in Ray Parks Jr. (Nagoya), Kiefer Ravena (Shiga), Greg Slaughter (Fukuoka), Dwight Ramos (Hokkaido), and Thirdy Ravena (San-En).
