27 May 2016

Bolts' Import Prospect: Edward J. Singler

Edward Singler
After losing John Wilson and Gary David to opposing teams, the Meralco Bolts has lost its ability to provide a consistent threat from the outside. Rookie Baser Amer was not built to fill that role. Even veterans Jimmy Alapag and Ronjay Buenafe are misfiring after years of sniping their opponents from afar.

What made the situation more dire for the Bolts is the unavailability of an intimidating presence in the shaded area, which Arinze Onuaku briefly provided in the last conference.

These two areas need to be addressed when they start competing in PBA's Governors Cup. However, there is one import who can fill both aspects of the Bolt's game. His name is Edward J. Singler.

Singler attended South Medford High School where he was the 2009 OSAA 6A State Player of the Year after averaging 21.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 steals per game as a senior, helping the Panthers to a 21-8 record and a sixth-place finish at the OSAA Class 6A tournament.

Singler's ability to impact the game was clear during the early part of his career and it goes way beyond intangibles and hustle plays and any other kind of immeasurable on-the-court action. It goes even deeper than his infectious energy and intensity.

His mindset is that of a leader and a champion, and he influences everyone around him to share his attitude. This is the reason why it was not surprising that he was named the 2009 Gatorade Oregon Boys Basketball Player of the Year and the Southwest Conference Player of the Year.

In his senior year with the Oregon Ducks, Singler averaged 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 31 minutes per game as the Ducks advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

After going undrafted in the 2013 NBA draft, Singler joined the Detroit Pistons for the 2013 NBA Summer League. He later struck a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers to make a spot at training camp, but was waived after appearing in two preseason games.

Last year, Singler made his season debut for Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League in a 110–106 loss to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, recording 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals in 36 minutes.

Singler progressed as a player, and the Stampede progressed as a team. Together they look better than they did in the previous season. Singler's hustle-loving, never-say-die 3-point shooting, all-for-one and one-for-all rebounding attitude has been adopted by the entire squad.

He was traded to Raptors 905 early this year in exchange for future pick.

Among the notable achievements of Singler that the Bolts may want to take note is that he was an NBA D-League All-Star 3-Point Shootout champion in 2014 and a member of the First-team All-Pac-12 in 2013.

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