Taylor Statham feels he can create mismatches for the PBA team that will draft him as he combines size and skill.

Standing at 6-foot-6, the Filipino-American is one of the tallest players in the latest crop of PBA rookie aspirants, with his height being a significant advantage for the position he plays.

“I can definitely play point guard. But for me, more naturally, I like playing shooting guard or small forward just because it creates so many mismatches because of my size,” Statham said.

“Even on the wing, the best PBA wings are all like 6-foot-3, 6-foot-4 so I have a little size advantage.”

“I can even play [power forward]. When I was in Indonesia, I was guarding Lester Prosper and Dior Lowhorn, PBA imports who are true bigs. I can play 1 through 4,” he added.

After finishing his collegiate stint at Cal State San Bernardino, where he averaged 9.3 points and 5.4 rebounds in his senior year, Statham pursued a professional career that took him to different countries.

Over the last 5 years, he played in Indonesia, Thailand, China, Canada, and Hong Kong, to name a few.

Statham also saw action in the local 3×3 circuit, ending up as one of the best 3×3 players in country before he left to return to the United States.

In the US, Statham received an invite to work out for the NBA G League teams of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors.

“I think I just care about basketball,” Statham said when asked what separates him from the talent-rich class of 97 draft applicants. “I think that has always been my advantage. I just care.”

“I’m not going to let anybody outwork me, whether it is on the weight room, whether it is on the court, whether it is off the court.”

“Just me caring so much leads to me working hard and I just refuse to get outworked. That along with the experience just plays a huge factor.”

Statham, though, still needs to complete the requirements set by the PBA for Filipino-foreigners – which include certifications from the Department of Justice and Bureau of Immigration – for him to be declared draft-eligible.

The PBA extended the submission of the necessary documents for Filipino-foreigners to March 5, a week before the draft proceedings on March 14.

“I just thought it is a good time to kind of throw my name in the hat and hopefully I can make it,” Statham, who is currently in Los Angeles, said about joining the draft.

“If not, hopefully, people with my situation later on down the road, younger players coming behind me, they have an easier path.” – Rappler.com