The towering Bol Bol is the Tropang 5G's import for the Commissioner's Cup, continuing TNT's recent history of bringing in former NBA players to the PBA.
TNT is bringing in another well-known NBA name as import for the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup: 7’3” center Bol Bol.
Even before the mid-season tournament kicks off, Bol’s arrival already has the league on notice and for good reason.
[RELATED STORY: TNT import Bol Bol thrilled to reinforce Tropang 5G in PBA Commissioner's Cup]
Bol was a second-round pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and has played for the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, and the Phoenix Suns, appearing in 202 games before finding his way to the Philippines by way of TNT.
The son of former NBA player Manute Bol, the younger Bol put up his best season with the Magic in 2023, norming 9.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game.
Now he’s bringing all that to the PBA in hopes of helping the Tropang 5G defend their Commissioner’s Cup title.
But lest anyone forget, this isn’t the first time TNT is fielding in an NBA talent, with Bol actually taking over for another former NBA player.
One Sports combed through the last eight years to identify the Tropang 5G reinforcements who have NBA experience.
Quincy Miller
While his original PBA home was Converge, Quincy Miller played one game as stand in for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup as the latter suffered from gastroenteritis during their training camp.
Miller, who played 69 games in the NBA before kicking off his journey overseas, which included a stint with the San Miguel Beermen and other tour of duty with TNT in the East Asia Super League.
KJ McDaniels
KJ McDaniels ended being quite the fixture in the PBA, but the high-flyer made his league debut during the 2019 Governors’ Cup with TNT.
He endeared himself to fans right away after putting up 41 points, 22 rebounds, seven assists, five blocks in his first game as a member of the Tropa.
The 32nd overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers played for Houston Rockets and the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA, while also having stints with NLEX and Meralco in the PBA.
Terrence Jones
Terrence Jones was virtually unstoppable for TNT in the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup until they slammed into Chris McCullough and San Miguel in the Finals.
Still, Jones made his mark in the PBA despite being embroiled in a couple of issues with Arwind Santos and Calvin Abueva.
Santos made a racist gesture towards him in the Finals, while Abueva hit him with a running clothesline earlier in the conference which resulted in a long suspension for the then Phoenix forward.
Jones suited for Houston — the team that plucked him at No. 18 in the first round — from 2012 to 2016 where he played alongside superstar James Harden.
He appeared in 234 games and has career averages of 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Call it recency bias, but Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is perhaps TNT’s greatest import.
A first-round pick in 2015, Hollis-Jefferson played for the Brooklyn Nets from 2015 to 2019.
He played a total of 305 games in the NBA, with his other stops being Toronto and Portland.
Since playing in for TNT starting in 2023, RHJ has won three championships in as many conferences in the PBA.
He’s also a three-time PBA Best Import, which is tied for second in league history.
Unfortunately, Hollis-Jefferson is out with an Achilles injury, opening the door for TNT to go with Bol Bol for this year’s Commissioner’s Cup.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.