MANILA, Philippines — PBA rising star William Navarro of the Magnolia Hotshots is formally headed to Korea with Busan KCC Egis.
Busan on Tuesday introduced the signing of Navarro for the upcoming 2025-2026 season, ending a brief stint with Magnolia after a mid-conference commerce from NorthPort within the just-concluded 2025 PBA Philippine Cup.
“Welcome, William. We ask for many assist and encouragement to William Navarro, who’s making a brand new begin at KCC Egis,” mentioned the Korean Basketball League (KBL) membership.
It will likely be Navarro’s worldwide league debut finally after a foiled stint with the Samsung Seoul Thunders in 2022.
The 6-foot-6 Ateneo standout then signed with Seoul however took a U-turn as a substitute to honor his contract obligations with Gilas Piipinas and the NorthPort, which had his enjoying rights after selecting him because the No. 2 decide within the 2021 particular draft.
Navarro ultimately performed for the Batang Pier however sustained an ACL harm in the identical 12 months earlier than coming again to fantastic type as one of many workforce’s greatest gamers in 2023 and 2024.
The 28-year-old ahead had his breakout efficiency this season, particularly within the Philippine Cup with a double-double common of 20.57 factors and 10.57 rebounds laced by 1.86 assists and 1.14 steals for the Batang Pier.
Halfway by way of the tourney although, he was traded to the Hotshots in change for Calvin Abueva, Jerrick Balanza and second spherical decide within the PBA Season 51 draft.
Navarro performed solely 5 video games for the Hotshots, who might be left with none returns from the Abueva commerce in any case in a new period beneath head coach LA Tenorio in lieu of long-time mentor Chito Victolero.
Other than Magnolia, Navarro’s former workforce NorthPort additionally misplaced a key piece in Arvin Tolentino, who will likewise take his abilities to Korea after signing with the Seoul SK Knights.
SK Knights topped the common season with a 41-13 slate however bowed to Gilas ace Carl Tamayo and the Changwon LG Sakers within the KBL finals whereas Navarro’s workforce Busan missed the playoffs at ninth place with an 18-36 mark.
