Professional career
Drafted by NorthPort and SBP controversy (2021–2022)
On January 23, 2021, Navarro declared for the PBA season 46 draft, forgoing his final year with Ateneo. [4] [5] Navarro was initially placed in the regular pool after he declined to join the special draft but changed his mind a month later. [6] [7] The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas then added him as the final addition to the special draft, where he was picked second by the NorthPort Batang Pier.
On July 7, 2022, he signed a deal with the Seoul Samsung Thunders of the Korean Basketball League. [8] However, on September 17, it was reported that the SBP and FIBA did not give him clearance to join the KBL due to existing obligations with Gilas Pilipinas. [9] [10] The move gained significant backlash, particularly with Filipino players who have also had stints abroad. Kai Sotto posted on social media that "we got our own people stopping us from achieving greatness." [11] RJ Abarrientos called it "an impediment in someone's dream" while Justin Gutang added the hashtag "#FreeWill" on his post. [12]
On September 22, Navarro wrote an apology on social media after meeting with SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, recognizing his existing contract with the federation and acknowledging the "misunderstanding and miscommunication caused by my signing up with the Samsung Thunders of Korea". [13] The same day, his deal with Samsung fell through after the team signed Christian David as their Asian quota player instead. [14]
NorthPort Batang Pier (2022–2025)
On October 24, 2022. Navarro signed a deal with NorthPort, [15] making his PBA debut just two days later. [16] He stated that between him and his manager, this was the best decision he could make and that he had already moved on from his failed move to the KBL. [17] On December 15, he suffered an ACL tear which ruled him out for the remainder of the 2022–23 PBA season. [18] Despite the injury, on July 6, 2023, he signed a new two-year deal with NorthPort. [19] It wouldn’t be until March 1, 2024, during the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup, when he would return from his injury. [20]
Busan KCC Egis (2025–present)
On August 5, 2025, just over two months after getting traded to Magnolia, Navarro left the team and the PBA to sign with the Busan KCC Egis of the KBL. [23] The move came just one day before the PBA announced the introduction of temporary bans on players with expiring contracts who depart for other leagues, potentially affecting Navarro. [24]
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