Deschon Winston has assured that he is ready to play for Converge after being plagued by a calf injury that cut short his final year at De La Salle University.
The 6-foot-4 lefty winger stated that he has fully recovered from the injury and is now focused on earning a spot with the FiberXers, who selected him with the ninth overall pick in the PBA Season 48 Rookie Draft on Sunday night.
“I’m no longer hurt,” he said during the proceedings at the Ayala Malls Market! Market! in Taguig.
“I’m ready to compete and ready to play.”
Winston, who is 25 years old, was unable to finish his collegiate career the way he had hoped due to the aforementioned injury. He only appeared in three games in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball competitions.
He missed the Green Archers’ crucial game against Adamson University for the last Final Four spot. Winston could only helplessly watch from the bleachers, rather than from the team’s bench, as his squad suffered a heartbreaking 80-76 defeat.
It was indeed a tough ending for someone who had led the MVP race with stats of 21.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3.0 steals after the first round.
While that calf issue may have affected his draft stock, it hardly matters to Winston. He is simply happy to have heard his name called in the proceedings, where 79 out of 124 aspirants were selected.
“I was drafted. I am thankful for it,” said the California-born cager, who was projected as an early first-round selection.
“The team that wants me is the team that has me,” Winston added.
“I’m happy they drafted me and I’m ready to compete for them.”
