Lakers sign Philippine-trained center

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed up ex-Tennessee State standout Larry Turner to an NBA contract. Per team policy, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Turner, a 6-11 240-lb center, trained here for six weeks under Kirk Collier, the skills coach of San Miguel Beer and Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA.

Turner, 24, normed 7.4 points and 5.2 rebounds in five games for the Lakers' 2007 Summer Pro League team. He attended Tennessee State, averaging 5.8 points and 6.1 rebounds as a senior.

“I’m very happy for Larry, he’s a really good person,” Collier told The Star. “If he stays with the team beyond Jan. 10, then his contract will be binding.”

Collier worked with Turner on his post moves and perimeter game, and believes the former Oklahoma player will be a good fit with Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom.

“He has a long way to go, but he’s earned this opportunity,” says Collier, who originally came to the Philippines to train the players of Red Bull. “What he has to do now is fit in, and not try to be a big scorer right away.”

Collier also believes that it won’t be long before a full-blooded Filipino makes it to the NBA.

“I think it will be soon. Since 2000, the players coming up have become much bigger,” Collier adds. “I think Gian (Chiu, now with Oberlin College in Ohio) has a great shot. But probably Japeth Aguilar (playing for Western Kentucky) has the best chance of all. He’s already listed at 6’10” and can match up with them athletically. And he’s bulked up.”

Collier also said that current PBA players like Mark Caguioa and Jimmy Alapag could also make it in the NBA, given the opportunity to learn a particular team’s system.