(UPDATE) PELITA Jaya import JaQuori McLaughlin may only have played three games with Justin Brownlee, but in just a brief time together, the American guard admitted the Gilas naturalized player's positive impact in the team.
For one, the Indon club team swept its group stage after winning its three-game assignment to advance to round 2 of the Basketball Champions League (BCL) Asia recently with the 35-year-old Brownlee making an overall impact with his leadership and strong presence.
"I heard about Justin when he signed with the team and all that he has accomplished in the Philippines. He's a veteran player who makes the game look easy, an elite all-around player who makes the game easy for his teammates as well. I've enjoyed playing with him so far, and I think we had good chemistry in the first round of the BCL," McLaughlin said when reached online by The Manila Times.
The 26-year-old guard out of Oregon State and University of Santa Barbara added that Brownlee is "someone a lot of players would want to play because of his [positive] attitude."
"Haven't been together for much time yet but just noticing how much of a professional he is everyday on and off the court, and the way he carries himself," added the American, who had a brief NBA stint with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2021-2022 season.
McLaughlin has former a deadly 1-2 punch for Pelita Jaya in the BCL Asia opening round as he averaged 20 points, 5.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds, while Brownlee solid all-around numbers of 18.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists in the Indon squad's group stages wins over Hi-Tech Bangkok, Mongolia's Ulaanbaatar XAC Broncos and Adroit Club Singapore.
McLaughlin is making his first pro basketball foray in Asia since having a short with the Otago Nuggets in the 2023 New Zealand NBL.
And so far, the Pelita Jaya American reinforcement likes the competition and the overall vibes.
And knowing Brownlee has made a name for himself in the PBA, McLaughlin said should the opportunity come for Pelita Jaya to face any Philippine professional squad, "I will be ready to compete against anyone that we play for sure."
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