Former NBA star Dwight Howard has opened himself up to the possibility of suiting up as a PBA import after his ongoing stint with Strong Group. 

The 38-year-old signed with the Filipino squad ahead of its campaign in the 33rd Dubai International Tournament which tips off in nine days on Jan. 19 to 28 at Al Nasr Club, Dubai. 

Should he also consider reinforcing a local professional team in the Philippines, the former Los Angeles Lakers big man is facing the league’s height requirement.

The three-time Defensive Player is officially listed at 6-foot-10, but claims he stands at 6-foot-9 barefoot, barely making the height ceiling to become eligible for the role. 

“I’m eligible for PBA. I think they gotta change the height requirement. I’m 6’9” without shoes and with shoes it has a little inch. So hopefully, they do that. Guys like Dray can come back and play here as well. I know he wanted to play here in the PBA so you know, if they change the height requirements, maybe we’ll see a twin towers in the Philippines,” Howard said during Strong Group’s open practice session at the Urdaneta Village Covered Court in Makati City on Wednesday, Jan. 10. 

Howard, who is coming off a successful stint in the T1 League in Taiwan, bared that there was no thinking twice once the opportunity to play for the Philippines landed on his feet, knowing the love of Filipino fans for the game and towards him. 

“It’s just the fans. I went to Taal Lake for a visit last year and met a lot of Filipinos out there and they said ‘you gotta come back to the Philippines because we love you’, so when Dray called me and asked me, I told him I’ll be free and I can make it possible,” he said. 

“The fans have been great even before I came, they are on TikTok, Instagram. Going around different places in the world, I’ve always ran into a lot of Filipino fans. It’s just a great opportunity. Dray (Blathce) asked me to come out and I said ‘yeah, where are we going?’ and he said the Philippines. I said ‘Oh I gotta go’.” 

Aside from Howard and Blatche, two other imports McKenzie Moore and Andre Roberson were also added in the rotation which includes young local talents in La Salle’s Francis Escandor and UAAP Season 86 MVP Kevin Quiambao, College of St. Benilde trio Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot and Justine Sanchez, Gilas standouts Jordan Heading and Justine Baltazar and University of the Philippines’ JD Cagulangan. 

“I believe the energy from all the guys everybody’s focused. They understand how important this tournament is. Not just for us to win, but for their future careers in basketball. It’s been a great opportunity. We’re super happy that I got a chance to be a part of this,” said Howard.