Marcus Douthit
Encyclopedia
Marcus Eugene Douthit is an American-Filipino basketball player who graduated from Providence College
. After his stint with the Providence Friars
, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers
in the 2004 NBA Draft
. He became a naturalized
Filipino citizen on March 11, 2011, thus allowing him to play for Smart Gilas
, the Philippines
' men's national basketball team.
, New York
to his mother, Melody Douthit. He played high school basketball at Notre Dame Preparatory School
, a private
, co-educational Roman Catholic high school
located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts
. The school is primarily known for its basketball program, which has produced notable players such as Michael Beasley
, Paul Harris
, Lazar Hayward
, and Derrick Caracter
, to name a few. Before transferring to Notre Dame Prep for his senior year, Douthit played at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in New Britain, Connecticut
, the same school that produced Lamar Odom
, where he averaged 18 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks per game.
head coach Tim Welsh
announced that Douthit has signed a national letter-of-intent to attend Providence College
for the 2000-01 school year. Eventually, Douthit would stay at Providence for four consecutive years, taking up a bachelor's degree
in Social Science
. During his freshman year, he was able to record his first career double-double against Brown University
by scoring a career-high 22 points and collecting 11 rebounds.
As a junior in Providence, Douthit finished 11th in the NCAA Men's Division I
with an average of 3.0 blocks per game. The following year as a senior, he improved to seventh with an average of 3.2 blocks per game, third in the Big East Conference
. He finished his college career ranking second all-time in blocks at his school with 295.
Douthit spent four years playing for the Friars. Along with teammate Ryan Gomes
, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Clippers
, he was a member of the 2003–04 Providence Friars team
that finished with a 11-5 conference record, 20-9 overall. During his junior and senior years playing for Providence, Douthit was awarded the team's Marvin Barnes Defensive Player Award.
in the second round, 56th overall, of the 2004 National Basketball Association
draft along with Slovenian basketball player Sasha Vujacic
, who was drafted in the first round, 27th overall. However, Douthit decided to play ball in Belgium
instead since the Lakers already had 15 players on the roster, and it was still awaiting the decision of Karl Malone
if he would join the team. Although he never played in the NBA, Douthit had several close stints in signing with a couple of ball clubs, specifically the Los Angeles Lakers
and the Los Angeles Clippers
.
, and Devin Green
were all cut by the Lakers before the start of the regular season.
, on the other hand, signed Douthit and Jamaican professional basketball player Kimani Ffriend
in the 2007–08 NBA season, including them in the team's training camp roster. After not playing in the first two preseason games of the team, Douthit was waived by the Clippers.
in the NBA Development League, the official minor league
organization of the National Basketball Association
, during the 2005–06 season. Playing under coach Michael Cooper, he was part of the team's starting lineup along with Tony Bland
, TJ Cummings
, Andreas Glyniadakis
, and Tierre Brown
, who was the league's MVP during the 2003–04 season.
While playing for the Thunderbirds, currently known as the New Mexico Thunderbirds after it moved to Rio Rancho, New Mexico
, Douthit averaged 16.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per contest. Douthit also helped the team defeat the Fort Worth Flyers
, 119-108, to win the 2005–06 NBA Development League
Championship, scoring 11 points and collecting 15 rebounds during the championship game.
, also known as the Ligue Ethias, which is the highest professional basketball league in the country. In Belgium
, he played for RBC Verviers-Pepinster
and Spirou Charleroi
, and averaged 7.9 points and 6.0 rebounds while playing for these ball clubs.
in Turkey
during the 2007-08 season. That year, the team finished sixth in the league with a total 18 wins, qualifying them to the playoffs. The club was eventually eliminated by Turkish team Fenerbahçe Ülkerspor. While playing for Antalya
in Turkey's top men’s professional basketball league, Turkish Basketball League
, Douthit averaged 13.2 points and 6.5 rebounds.
in Russia
. Based in the city of Samara
, the club plays in the Russian Basketball Super League
. During the 2009-10 season, the club also participated in the 2010 EuroChallenge
, organized by FIBA Europe
. Douthit averaged 11.5 points and 7.6 rebounds in 11 games in that year's EuroChallenge.
in the Korean Basketball League
, which is the professional basketball league of South Korea
.
head coach Rajko Toroman
, in the 2010 MVP Invitational Championships.
Douthit joins notable Filipino
basketball players Marcio Lassiter
, J.V. Casio, Japeth Aguilar
, Dylan Ababou
, and Chris Tiu
, who are members of the Gilas squad. In February 25, 2011, he scored 16 points and collected 26 rebounds in his debut game with Gilas in the Philippine Basketball Association
, the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia
, against the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters.
, Guangdong
that plays in the Chinese Basketball Association
. The team is coached by former NBA player Jay Humphries.
| align="left" | 2010-11
| align="left" | Smart Gilas
| 12 || 39.25 || .540 || .000 || .521 || 17.67 || 2.17 || .92 || 3.25 || 22.33
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 12 || 39.25 || .540 || .000 || .521 || 17.67 || 2.17 || .92 || 3.25 || 22.33
at the 2010 MVP Invitational Championship, which was held from June 24 to 27 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium
. He helped the nationals beat the Jordan national basketball team
in the championship game, scoring 10 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Toroman, a former assistant coach of the national squad of Yugoslavia
from 1991–95, was impressed with Douthit's performance and recommended him to be Gilas’ top prospect for naturalization.
In June 2010, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced that Douthit agreed to sign a one-year contract and undergo the naturalization
process. After the process, he would be allowed to represent the Philippines as a full-fledged Filipino in international competitions such as the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship, a qualifying tournament of the 2012 Summer Olympics
in London, England.
Douthit's represented the Philippines
at the 2010 William Jones Cup
, an international basketball tournament held from July 14 to 22 in Taipei, Taiwan. Smart Gilas finished third in the tournament, improving the country's sixth place finish from the previous year. In the tournament, Douthit was named a member of the All-Tournament Team along with Yuta Tabuse
(Japan), Lee Hsueh-lin
(Taiwan), Samad Nikkhah Bahrami (Iran), and Takuya Kawamura
(Japan).
Because he and Gilas teammate Chris Lutz have not secured a Filipino passport
in time for the competition, Douthit did not suit up for the team at the FIBA Asia Stanković Cup 2010
, held from August 7 to 15 in Beirut, Lebanon. Douthit first represented the Philippines as a naturalized Filipino in the 2011 FIBA Asia Champions Cup
, which was held in held in Pasig City
, Philippines from May 28 to June 5, 2011.
Douthit also represented the Philippines in both the 2011 William Jones Cup
and 2011 FIBA Asia Championship. In that year's FIBA Asia Championship, he averaged 21.9 points and 12.2 rebounds for Smart Gilas, which finished fourth overall in the tournament.
and power forward
positions. He is often described as a versatile big man who loves to crash the boards and score off garbage points. With his 7-4 wingspan
, Douthit has incredible reach as well, which makes him a prolific shot blocker
. Tim Welsh, Douthit's former coach
at Providence, once said that, "Marcus runs the court very well and handles the ball well for a big man. He's not a back-to-the basket player, he's a face-up player which is what makes him perfect for our style of play... He's also a tremendous shot blocker who has great timing and makes it difficult for people to score over him." Douthit is also often compared to Haitian Canadian professional basketball
player Samuel Dalembert
, who plays center
for the NBA
's Sacramento Kings
.
announced that Douthit's application for Filipino naturalization has already been transmitted for signature to the office of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III
. Thirty days after February 9, the day the application reached the president's office at Malacañang Palace
, Douthit would secure his Filipino citizenship with or without Aquino's signature.
In March 11, 2011, Antipolo
Second District Congressman Robbie Puno said that House Bill
2307, which grants Filipino citizenship
to Douthit, lapsed into law after President
Aquino failed to sign it.
Douthit's eligibility to play for the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national basketball team was confirmed by FIBA Sport and Eligibility committee head Ivanka Toteva in June 2011. With the confirmation, Douthit will be allowed to represent the Philippines as a naturalized player in all FIBA sanctioned events.
Providence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
. After his stint with the Providence Friars
Providence Friars
The Providence Friars is the name of the athletic teams of Providence College. They compete in the Big East Conference for every sport except for ice hockey, where they compete in Hockey East and in women's volleyball, where they compete in the America East Conference...
, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the 2004 NBA Draft
2004 NBA Draft
The 2004 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2004 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York and was broadcast live on ESPN at 7:00 pm . In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible...
. He became a naturalized
Naturalization
Naturalization is the acquisition of citizenship and nationality by somebody who was not a citizen of that country at the time of birth....
Filipino citizen on March 11, 2011, thus allowing him to play for Smart Gilas
Smart Gilas
Smart Gilas Pilipinas is a developmental Philippine national basketball team sponsored by Smart Communications and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas...
, the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
' men's national basketball team.
Early life
Douthit was born in SyracuseSyracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to his mother, Melody Douthit. He played high school basketball at Notre Dame Preparatory School
Notre Dame Preparatory School (Fitchburg, Massachusetts)
Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, coeducational Roman Catholic high school in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester. The population of the school is average 32–42 students. It is a small sized boarding and day school...
, a private
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
, co-educational Roman Catholic high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg is the third largest city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,318 at the 2010 census. Fitchburg is home to Fitchburg State University as well as 17 public and private elementary and high schools.- History :...
. The school is primarily known for its basketball program, which has produced notable players such as Michael Beasley
Michael Beasley
Michael Paul Beasley, Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association . He plays both forward positions, and shoots his jump shot left-handed, though he is also ambidextrous...
, Paul Harris
Paul Harris (basketball)
Paul Harris is an American professional basketball player who recently played for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters of the Philippine Basketball Association...
, Lazar Hayward
Lazar Hayward
Lazar Miller Hayward is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA. He was a college standout for Marquette University.-High school career:...
, and Derrick Caracter
Derrick Caracter
Derrick Caracter is a power forward–center for the Los Angeles Lakers.Caracter grew up in Fanwood, New Jersey. He played high school basketball at St. Patrick High School as a freshman, and attended Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School as a sophomore, to team with fellow SPF native, and subsequent...
, to name a few. Before transferring to Notre Dame Prep for his senior year, Douthit played at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in New Britain, Connecticut
New Britain, Connecticut
New Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is located approximately 9 miles southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 71,254....
, the same school that produced Lamar Odom
Lamar Odom
Lamar Joseph Odom is an American professional basketball forward with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association.-Early life:...
, where he averaged 18 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks per game.
College basketball career
In November 18, 1999, Providence FriarsProvidence Friars
The Providence Friars is the name of the athletic teams of Providence College. They compete in the Big East Conference for every sport except for ice hockey, where they compete in Hockey East and in women's volleyball, where they compete in the America East Conference...
head coach Tim Welsh
Tim Welsh
Tim Welsh is an American college basketball coach and the former head basketball coach at Providence College. Previously, he served as the head coach at Iona College...
announced that Douthit has signed a national letter-of-intent to attend Providence College
Providence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
for the 2000-01 school year. Eventually, Douthit would stay at Providence for four consecutive years, taking up a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Social Science
Bachelor of Social Science
The academic undergraduate degree of Bachelor of Social Science requires three to four years of study at an institution of higher education, primarily found in the Commonwealth of Nations....
. During his freshman year, he was able to record his first career double-double against Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
by scoring a career-high 22 points and collecting 11 rebounds.
As a junior in Providence, Douthit finished 11th in the NCAA Men's Division I
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
with an average of 3.0 blocks per game. The following year as a senior, he improved to seventh with an average of 3.2 blocks per game, third in the Big East Conference
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
. He finished his college career ranking second all-time in blocks at his school with 295.
Douthit spent four years playing for the Friars. Along with teammate Ryan Gomes
Ryan Gomes
Ryan Anthony Gomes is an American professional basketball forward with the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association....
, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
, he was a member of the 2003–04 Providence Friars team
2003–04 Providence Friars men's basketball team
The 2003–04 Providence Friars men's basketball team represented Providence College in the Big East Conference. The team finished with a 11–5 conference record and a 20–9 record overall....
that finished with a 11-5 conference record, 20-9 overall. During his junior and senior years playing for Providence, Douthit was awarded the team's Marvin Barnes Defensive Player Award.
National Basketball Association
Douthit was selected by the Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the second round, 56th overall, of the 2004 National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
draft along with Slovenian basketball player Sasha Vujacic
Sasha Vujacic
Aleksandar "Sasha" Vujačić is a Slovenian basketball player who has played in Italy, the United States , and more recently for Anadolu Efes S.K. in Turkey...
, who was drafted in the first round, 27th overall. However, Douthit decided to play ball in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
instead since the Lakers already had 15 players on the roster, and it was still awaiting the decision of Karl Malone
Karl Malone
Karl Anthony Malone , nicknamed "The Mailman", is a retired American professional basketball power forward who spent the majority of his career with the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association . Malone spent his first 18 seasons with the Jazz and formed a formidable duo with his teammate...
if he would join the team. Although he never played in the NBA, Douthit had several close stints in signing with a couple of ball clubs, specifically the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
and the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
.
Los Angeles Lakers
During the 2006–07 NBA season, the Lakers announced that they would sign Douthit after playing professional ball in Europe. Shortly after, the team placed him on waivers. Douthit along with other aspirants such as J. R. Pinnock, Mamadou N'diayeMamadou N'diaye
Mamadou N'Diaye is a Senegalese professional basketball player. After a college career at Auburn University, in the United States, N'Diaye was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft. He played for the Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles...
, and Devin Green
Devin Green
Devin Green is a professional basketball player. He was undrafted out of Hampton University, and was signed by the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, appearing in 27 games in the 2005-2006 season. On October 30, 2006, he was waived by the Lakers...
were all cut by the Lakers before the start of the regular season.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles ClippersLos Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
, on the other hand, signed Douthit and Jamaican professional basketball player Kimani Ffriend
Kimani Ffriend
Kimani Ffriend is a Jamaican professional basketball player who plays for Hamyari-e-Zanjan.- College :* 1997-98 : DeKalb CC* 1998-99 : Gulf Coast CC- University :* 1999-01 : University of Nebraska...
in the 2007–08 NBA season, including them in the team's training camp roster. After not playing in the first two preseason games of the team, Douthit was waived by the Clippers.
NBA Development League
Douthit played for the Albuquerque ThunderbirdsAlbuquerque Thunderbirds
The New Mexico Thunderbirds were a professional NBA Development League minor league basketball team which played from 2005-2011. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Thunderbirds first played their home games at Tingley Coliseum as the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, then played at the Santa Ana Star...
in the NBA Development League, the official minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
organization of the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
, during the 2005–06 season. Playing under coach Michael Cooper, he was part of the team's starting lineup along with Tony Bland
Tony Bland
Anthony David Bland was a supporter of Liverpool F.C. injured in the Hillsborough disaster. He suffered severe brain damage that left him in a persistent vegetative state whereby the hospital, with the support of his parents, applied for a court order allowing him to 'die with dignity'...
, TJ Cummings
TJ Cummings
Terry Cummings Jr. is an American basketball player for the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League. He is the son of former NBA player Terry Cummings and graduate of Homewood-Floosmoor High School. TJ Cummings played collegiately at UCLA for four years...
, Andreas Glyniadakis
Andreas Glyniadakis
Andreas Glyniadakis is a Greek professional basketball player. He is a , 280 lb. center...
, and Tierre Brown
Tierre Brown
Tierre Brown is an American professional basketball player.Brown graduated from McNeese State University and began his career with the NBA's Houston Rockets in 2001. He played fifteen games for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2002-03, and three games for the New Orleans Hornets for the 2003-04 season...
, who was the league's MVP during the 2003–04 season.
While playing for the Thunderbirds, currently known as the New Mexico Thunderbirds after it moved to Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
There were 18,995 households out of which 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had...
, Douthit averaged 16.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per contest. Douthit also helped the team defeat the Fort Worth Flyers
Fort Worth Flyers
The Fort Worth Flyers is the name of a now defunct team of the NBA Development League minor league basketball expansion team based in Fort Worth, Texas. They began play in the 2005-06 season. The decision was made by the NBADL to not operate this team for the 2007-08 season.- Franchise history...
, 119-108, to win the 2005–06 NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
Championship, scoring 11 points and collecting 15 rebounds during the championship game.
Belgium
Before playing in the NBA D-League, Douthit played in the Basketball League BelgiumBasketball League Belgium
The Basketball League Belgium , also known as the Ligue Ethias or Ethias League, is the highest professional basketball league in Belgium.-Teams:* Antwerp Giants* Belgacom Liège Basket* Dexia Mons-Hainaut* Generali Okapi Aalstar...
, also known as the Ligue Ethias, which is the highest professional basketball league in the country. In Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, he played for RBC Verviers-Pepinster
RBC Verviers-Pepinster
Royal Basket Club Verviers-Pepinster is a Belgian professional basketball club that is located in the Verviers-Pepinster area of the Province of Liege, Belgium. The club competes in the Basketball League Belgium. The team was founded in the year 1938. The team plays home games at the 4,000 seat...
and Spirou Charleroi
Spirou Charleroi
Spirou Charleroi, also known as Spirou Basket, is a Belgian professional basketball club that is located in Charleroi, Belgium. The club competes in the top Belgian League...
, and averaged 7.9 points and 6.0 rebounds while playing for these ball clubs.
Turkey
Douthit has played for basketball club Antalya Büyükşehir BelediyesiAntalya Büyüksehir Belediyesi
-Notable players: Barış Hersek Can Akın Ersin Görkem Muratcan Güler Nedim Yücel Patrick Femerling Kristaps Valters Aaron Jackson Darryl Thompson Jamon Gordon Marcus Douthit Michael Green Patrick Christopher Ralph Mims Ricardo Marsh...
in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
during the 2007-08 season. That year, the team finished sixth in the league with a total 18 wins, qualifying them to the playoffs. The club was eventually eliminated by Turkish team Fenerbahçe Ülkerspor. While playing for Antalya
Antalya
Antalya is a city on the Mediterranean coast of southwestern Turkey. With a population 1,001,318 as of 2010. It is the eighth most populous city in Turkey and country's biggest international sea resort.- History :...
in Turkey's top men’s professional basketball league, Turkish Basketball League
Turkish Basketball League
The Turkish Basketball League is the top men’s professional basketball league in Turkey, which is also called Turkish Premier Basketball League . There is also a Turkish Second Basketball League consisting of 2 divisions .-History:The first basketball game played in Turkey was at the Robert...
, Douthit averaged 13.2 points and 6.5 rebounds.
Russia
After several stints in a number of professional leagues in Europe, Douthit suited up for BC Krasnye Krylya SamaraBC Krasnye Krylya Samara
BC Krasnye Krylya Samara is a Russian professional basketball club from the city of Samara, Russia. The team played in the 2009-10 Russian Super League as a replacement for bankrupt CSK VVS, that is also from Samara.-External links:* *...
in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Based in the city of Samara
Samara, Russia
Samara , is the sixth largest city in Russia. It is situated in the southeastern part of European Russia at the confluence of the Volga and Samara Rivers. Samara is the administrative center of Samara Oblast. Population: . The metropolitan area of Samara-Tolyatti-Syzran within Samara Oblast...
, the club plays in the Russian Basketball Super League
Russian Basketball Super League
The Russian Basketball SuperLeague is a men's professional basketball league that was the pre-eminent league of Russian professional basketball until 2010...
. During the 2009-10 season, the club also participated in the 2010 EuroChallenge
EuroChallenge
The EuroChallenge is the 3rd tier level transnational men's professional club basketball competition in Europe. It is organized and run by FIBA Europe...
, organized by FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe is a zone within the International Basketball Federation which includes all 49 national European basketball federations.-Division A:-Division B: -Division C:...
. Douthit averaged 11.5 points and 7.6 rebounds in 11 games in that year's EuroChallenge.
South Korea
To cap the 2006-07 season, after playing in the NBA D-League, Douthit joined the Daegu OrionsDaegu Orions
The Goyang Orions is a professional basketball club in the Korean Basketball League.-Trophies:*Champions : 1** 2001/02*Regular season titles : 2** 2001/02, 2002/03...
in the Korean Basketball League
Korean Basketball League
The Korean Basketball League, often abbreviated to the KBL, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in South Korea. Its inaugural season was in 1997. The season starts in October and ends in April the following year. The KBL consists of 10 teams. Each team plays 54 games . Each team...
, which is the professional basketball league of South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
.
Philippines
In May 2010, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced that Douthit has been invited to tryout for a spot in the Philippines men's national basketball team, Smart Gilas. He suited up for the team, spearheaded by former Iran national teamIran national basketball team
The Iran national basketball team represents Iran in international basketball competitions and is controlled by IR Iran Basketball Federation. It is one of the strongest teams in Asia, and the two time champions of the FIBA Asia Championship.-History:...
head coach Rajko Toroman
Rajko Toroman
Rajko Toroman is a Serbian professional basketball coach. He is currently the Philippines National Team Project Director for Basketball having been hired by country’s basketball federation Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas...
, in the 2010 MVP Invitational Championships.
Douthit joins notable Filipino
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
basketball players Marcio Lassiter
Marcio Lassiter
Marcio Tsongo Lassiter is a Filipino-American professional basketball player currently playing for the Powerade Tigers of the Philippine Basketball Association. He just completed his stint with the Philippine national basketball team, Smart Gilas...
, J.V. Casio, Japeth Aguilar
Japeth Aguilar
Japeth Paul C. Aguilar , better known as Japeth Aguilar born in Pampanga, Philippines, is a Filipino basketball player. He recently played for Smart Gilas, and will play for the Talk N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association...
, Dylan Ababou
Dylan Ababou
Dylan Ababou is a Filipino professional basketball player who currently plays for the Barako Bull Energy in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was drafted 10th overall in 2011 by the Energy. He was one of the key players of the UST Growling Tigers who won the UAAP title in 2006. He was also...
, and Chris Tiu
Chris Tiu
Chris Tiu , is a Filipino professional basketball player of Chinese-Filipino descent. He currently plays for the Smart Gilas team and is also a TV host, commercial model, and politician.He is the host of the TV shows Man vs...
, who are members of the Gilas squad. In February 25, 2011, he scored 16 points and collected 26 rebounds in his debut game with Gilas in the Philippine Basketball Association
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
, the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, against the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters.
China
In October 2011, it was reported that Douthit has come to terms on a five-month contract to play for the Foshan Dralions, a club based in FoshanFoshan
Foshan is a city in central Guangdong province in southern China. The prefectural area under the city's jurisdiction over an area of about 3,840 km² and a population of 5.4 million of which 1.1 million reside in the city proper ....
, Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
that plays in the Chinese Basketball Association
Chinese Basketball Association
The Chinese Basketball Association , often abbreviated to the CBA, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in China.The league is commonly known as the CBA, and this acronym is often used even in Chinese...
. The team is coached by former NBA player Jay Humphries.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2010-11
| align="left" | Smart Gilas
Smart Gilas
Smart Gilas Pilipinas is a developmental Philippine national basketball team sponsored by Smart Communications and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas...
| 12 || 39.25 || .540 || .000 || .521 || 17.67 || 2.17 || .92 || 3.25 || 22.33
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 12 || 39.25 || .540 || .000 || .521 || 17.67 || 2.17 || .92 || 3.25 || 22.33
Philippine national team
Douthit first suited up as an import for GilasSmart Gilas
Smart Gilas Pilipinas is a developmental Philippine national basketball team sponsored by Smart Communications and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas...
at the 2010 MVP Invitational Championship, which was held from June 24 to 27 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Ninoy Aquino Stadium
The Ninoy Aquino Stadium is one of two indoor sporting arenas located in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, Philippines, the other being the Rizal Memorial Coliseum....
. He helped the nationals beat the Jordan national basketball team
Jordan national basketball team
The Jordan national basketball team is the official basketball team of Jordan in international competitions. It is one of the top teams in Asia and is the defending champion of the 29th William Jones Cup....
in the championship game, scoring 10 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Toroman, a former assistant coach of the national squad of Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia national basketball team
The Yugoslavian national basketball team represented the Kingdom and socialist Yugoslavia. Its of governing body was the Basketball Federation of Yugoslavia, whose seat was in Belgrade....
from 1991–95, was impressed with Douthit's performance and recommended him to be Gilas’ top prospect for naturalization.
In June 2010, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced that Douthit agreed to sign a one-year contract and undergo the naturalization
Naturalization
Naturalization is the acquisition of citizenship and nationality by somebody who was not a citizen of that country at the time of birth....
process. After the process, he would be allowed to represent the Philippines as a full-fledged Filipino in international competitions such as the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship, a qualifying tournament of the 2012 Summer Olympics
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
in London, England.
Douthit's represented the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
at the 2010 William Jones Cup
2010 William Jones Cup
-Standings:-Results:-All-tournament team: Lee Hsueh-lin Yuta Tabuse Samad Nikkhah Bahrami Takuya Kawamura Marcus Douthit-Preliminary round:-Knockout round:-All-tournament team:...
, an international basketball tournament held from July 14 to 22 in Taipei, Taiwan. Smart Gilas finished third in the tournament, improving the country's sixth place finish from the previous year. In the tournament, Douthit was named a member of the All-Tournament Team along with Yuta Tabuse
Yuta Tabuse
is a Japanese professional basketball player. A point guard, Tabuse is and . He is the first Japanese-born basketball player to play in the National Basketball Association, appearing in four games with the Phoenix Suns during the 2004–05 NBA season before he was waived...
(Japan), Lee Hsueh-lin
Lee Hsueh-lin
Lee Hsueh-Lin is a Taiwanese professional basketball player....
(Taiwan), Samad Nikkhah Bahrami (Iran), and Takuya Kawamura
Takuya Kawamura
Takuya Kawamura , born April 14, 1986, is a Japanese professional basketball player of the professional club team Link Tochigi Brex. A guard, Kawamura is 6-4 and weight 185 pounds. In 2009, he decided to leave the Japan Basketball League and try to earn a contract in the NBA...
(Japan).
Because he and Gilas teammate Chris Lutz have not secured a Filipino passport
Passport
A passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth....
in time for the competition, Douthit did not suit up for the team at the FIBA Asia Stanković Cup 2010
FIBA Asia Stanković Cup 2010
2010 FIBA Asia Stanković Cup was the 3rd FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup, the basketball tournament of FIBA Asia was held in Beirut, Lebanon from 7th of August to 15th of August 2010, in Ghazir Club Court involving 10 national teams from Asia....
, held from August 7 to 15 in Beirut, Lebanon. Douthit first represented the Philippines as a naturalized Filipino in the 2011 FIBA Asia Champions Cup
2011 FIBA Asia Champions Cup
The FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2011 was the 22nd staging of the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, the basketball club tournament of FIBA Asia. The tournament was held in Pasig, Philippines from May 28 to June 5, 2011...
, which was held in held in Pasig City
Pasig City
The City of Pasig is one of the city municipalities of Metro Manila in the Philippines and was the former capital of the province of Rizal prior to the formation of this grouping of cities designated as the National Capital Region...
, Philippines from May 28 to June 5, 2011.
Douthit also represented the Philippines in both the 2011 William Jones Cup
2011 William Jones Cup
The 2011 TAIYEN William Jones Cup is the 33rd tournament of the William Jones Cup that is taking place at Hsinchuang Gymnasium in New Taipei, Republic of China from August 6 to 13, 2011.-Squads:...
and 2011 FIBA Asia Championship. In that year's FIBA Asia Championship, he averaged 21.9 points and 12.2 rebounds for Smart Gilas, which finished fourth overall in the tournament.
Player profile
Douthit is 2.10 m (6 ft 10 in) tall, and is usually tasked to play the centerCenter (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
and power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
positions. He is often described as a versatile big man who loves to crash the boards and score off garbage points. With his 7-4 wingspan
Wingspan
The wingspan of an airplane or a bird, is the distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777 has a wingspan of about ; and a Wandering Albatross caught in 1965 had a wingspan of , the official record for a living bird.The term wingspan, more technically extent, is...
, Douthit has incredible reach as well, which makes him a prolific shot blocker
Block (basketball)
In basketball, a block , not to be confused with blocking, occurs when a defensive player legally deflects a field goal attempt from an offensive player. The defender must not touch the offensive player's hands or otherwise a foul is called. In order to be legal, the block must occur while the shot...
. Tim Welsh, Douthit's former coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
at Providence, once said that, "Marcus runs the court very well and handles the ball well for a big man. He's not a back-to-the basket player, he's a face-up player which is what makes him perfect for our style of play... He's also a tremendous shot blocker who has great timing and makes it difficult for people to score over him." Douthit is also often compared to Haitian Canadian professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player Samuel Dalembert
Samuel Dalembert
Samuel Davis Dalembert is a Haitian Canadian professional basketball player who most recently played center for the NBA's Sacramento Kings. Dalembert began playing in Montreal, Quebec and played college basketball at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, United States...
, who plays center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
for the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
.
Filipino naturalization
In February 2011, former Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli EalaNoli Eala
Jose Emmanuel M. Eala, better known as Noli Eala, was the sixth commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association from 2003 to 2007. Before he became the commissioner of the league, he was a play-by-play commentator of Viva-Vintage Sports, which broadcasts the PBA Games, from the early 1990s...
announced that Douthit's application for Filipino naturalization has already been transmitted for signature to the office of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III
Benigno Aquino III
Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III , also known as Noynoy Aquino or PNoy, is a Filipino politician who has been the 15th and current President of the Philippines since June 2010....
. Thirty days after February 9, the day the application reached the president's office at Malacañang Palace
Malacañang Palace
The Malacañan Palace, commonly known simply as Malacañang, is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the Philippines. Located at 1000 J. P. Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila, the house was built in 1750 in Spanish Colonial style. It has been the residence of every...
, Douthit would secure his Filipino citizenship with or without Aquino's signature.
In March 11, 2011, Antipolo
Antipolo
Antipolo is a city in the Philippines located in the province of Rizal; about 25 kilometers east of Manila. It is the largest city in the Calabarzon Region in terms of population...
Second District Congressman Robbie Puno said that House Bill
Bill (proposed law)
A bill is a proposed law under consideration by a legislature. A bill does not become law until it is passed by the legislature and, in most cases, approved by the executive. Once a bill has been enacted into law, it is called an act or a statute....
2307, which grants Filipino citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
to Douthit, lapsed into law after President
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Aquino failed to sign it.
Douthit's eligibility to play for the Smart Gilas Pilipinas national basketball team was confirmed by FIBA Sport and Eligibility committee head Ivanka Toteva in June 2011. With the confirmation, Douthit will be allowed to represent the Philippines as a naturalized player in all FIBA sanctioned events.
Awards and honors
- 2x Marvin Barnes Defensive Player Award: 2003, 2004
- William Jones Cup All-Tournament Team: 2010
See also
- 2003–04 Providence Friars men's basketball team2003–04 Providence Friars men's basketball teamThe 2003–04 Providence Friars men's basketball team represented Providence College in the Big East Conference. The team finished with a 11–5 conference record and a 20–9 record overall....
- 2004–05 FIBA Europe League
- 2004–05 Los Angeles Lakers season2004–05 Los Angeles Lakers seasonThe 2004–05 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 56th in the National Basketball Association and 59th overall. The Los Angeles Lakers finished in the fifth place in the Pacific Division.-NBA Draft:-Standings:...