By NIKOLE JAVIER
Gilas Pilipinas young big man AJ Edu is not only making the leap to the seniors in the national team but also now formally taking his first foray in the professional scene after signing with the Toyama Grouses in the Japan B.League.
The Grouses announced Edu as their Asian Quota Player for the 2023-2024 season on a social media post on Tuesday, June 20 joining his fellow Gilas members Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Ray Parks Jr and Dwight Ramos in the Japanese league.
The details of the deal wasn’t revealed aside from a “basic agreement”, but the team added that the contract “will be concluded after the end of medical checks and various procedures.”
The 6-foot-10 center will be the second Filipino to play for Toyama after Ramos decided not to renew his contract with the team last year.
Edu, who was named in the 21-man Gilas pool and is determined to make the cut for the final 12, has been consistently attending the practice of the national team as part of its three-month buildup to the FIBA World Cup.
The 23-year-old was actually a Gilas Pilipinas youth mainstay before sustaining a knee injury during the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Greece. He played alongside fellow big man Kai Sotto, who is also seeing action in the Japanese league.
Edu played collegiate basketball for the University of Toledo in Ohio prior to the first signing of his pro career.
“Really excited to begin my professional basketball journey at Toyama Grouses! Looking forward to meeting all the staff, players and fans and giving my best on the court for you guys!” Edu said in a statement provided by the team.
“I’m very excited to start my professional career at Toyama Grouses!” he added.
