MAY 18, 2021 METSBASKETBALL
The Guaynabo Mets have made a pair of roster moves in the lead up to the 2021 season, trading for Renaldo Balkman and agreeing to a loan agreement for E.J. Crawford.
Balkman, a 6-foot-8 forward, has played four seasons in the BSN, most recently in 2016, when he won a championship with the Capitanes de Arecibo. The former first round NBA selection spent six seasons with the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets. He has also represented the Puerto Rican National Team and played internationally in Mexico, the Philippines, and Venezuela. Guaynabo obtained Balkman from the Atléticos de San Germán in exchange for two picks from this year’s rookie draft and cash considerations.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Renaldo Balkman back to the BSN and into the Guaynabo Mets family,” said Head Coach Christopher Thomas. “His impact will be immense. He’s a talented player who is going to be one of our leaders on and off the floor. This signing shows that our ownership group will do whatever it takes to improve our roster and make Mets fans proud.”
Crawford, whose maternal grandmother is a native of Puerto Rico, was selected by Ponce in the 2020 rookie draft. Following a standout NCAA career at Iona College, the 6-foot-6 forward made his BSN debut in the 2020 bubble tournament. Crawford flashed his scoring potential in limited playing time least season, including putting up 13 points in 15 minutes against Bayamon.
“We are extremely excited to add a talented wing scorer like E.J. Crawford to the Mets,” said Thomas. “His prolific scoring at the collegiate level, as well as his defensive acumen, will help raise our level of play on both sides of the court. I know E.J. is going to come in hungry to earn minutes on this team and take the next step in his young career.”
Guaynabo announced in February that it had re-signed Thomas to a new contract after he led the team on a deep playoff run in the coronavirus-shortened 2020 season. Playing as an expansion franchise, the Mets were a surprise underdog story as they came within one game of reaching the finals. For the 2021 Mets, the goal is to prove that last year was not a fluke.
“With success comes new challenges,” said Mets co-owner Marc Grossman. “We fully embrace the challenge of being one of the favorites to win it all this season. This organization isn’t content with just bringing back Mets basketball. We want to bring it all the way back by celebrating a championship in the City of Guaynabo.”
Guaynabo is expected to announce additional roster news in the coming weeks. The 2021 BSN season begins on July 8.