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Kiefer Ravena in action in the US-based Drew League in this file photo.
By Nelson Beltran via Philstar
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MANILA, Philippines – For Kiefer Ravena, a PBA stint can wait as he pursues a dream to play in the NBA.
He’s toiling as a developmental player with the Texas Legends in the NBA D-League – without compensation or any remuneration – while all his Gilas cadet teammates have all made their PBA debuts.
“He’s giving it a try for one to two years. He doesn’t want to regret later on that he never tried,” said TNT KaTropa assistant coach Bong Ravena, father of the former Ateneo hotshot and UAAP MVP winner.
“Magastos lalo na dollar ang ginagastos doon samantalang pesos ang kinikita natin dito (It’s costly especially as you spend dollars when you earn pesos here). But it’s okay for the family,” Ravena also said.
As a developmental player joining the Texas Legends in training, the young Ravena is provided an apartment, but he has to spend for his meals.
The Texas Legends team is an affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks. Ravena is hoping that he’ll make the Mavericks team in the NBA Summer League.
An inspiration by the Ravenas is the LA Lakers’ Fil-Am star Jordan Clarkson.
“Jordan Clarkson spent some time in the NBA D-League before making the NBA,” said the older Ravena.
Clarkson played for the Los Angeles D
-Fenders before being selected 46th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards.
“Not everybody can be an NBA D-League developmental player. It’s by invitation. Kiefer got an invite and, again, he’s giving it a try for one to two years,” said Ravena.
The Ravenas know, though, that the NBA is a long, tough road. As a developmental player, Kiefer is not part of the regular Texas Legends roster.
First, he needs to go through the draft then hope to be drafted.
Fil-Am Bobby Ray Parks, another former UAAP star, had his NBA D-League stint also with the Texas Legends but has been cut.
He was drafted by the Westchester Knicks in the last NBA D-League draft but failed to make the roster.
He’s toiling as a developmental player with the Texas Legends in the NBA D-League – without compensation or any remuneration – while all his Gilas cadet teammates have all made their PBA debuts.
“He’s giving it a try for one to two years. He doesn’t want to regret later on that he never tried,” said TNT KaTropa assistant coach Bong Ravena, father of the former Ateneo hotshot and UAAP MVP winner.
“Magastos lalo na dollar ang ginagastos doon samantalang pesos ang kinikita natin dito (It’s costly especially as you spend dollars when you earn pesos here). But it’s okay for the family,” Ravena also said.
The Texas Legends team is an affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks. Ravena is hoping that he’ll make the Mavericks team in the NBA Summer League.
An inspiration by the Ravenas is the LA Lakers’ Fil-Am star Jordan Clarkson.
“Jordan Clarkson spent some time in the NBA D-League before making the NBA,” said the older Ravena.
Clarkson played for the Los Angeles D
-Fenders before being selected 46th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards.
“Not everybody can be an NBA D-League developmental player. It’s by invitation. Kiefer got an invite and, again, he’s giving it a try for one to two years,” said Ravena.
The Ravenas know, though, that the NBA is a long, tough road. As a developmental player, Kiefer is not part of the regular Texas Legends roster.
First, he needs to go through the draft then hope to be drafted.
Fil-Am Bobby Ray Parks, another former UAAP star, had his NBA D-League stint also with the Texas Legends but has been cut.
He was drafted by the Westchester Knicks in the last NBA D-League draft but failed to make the roster.
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