Japeth Aguilar works out for New Orleans Hornets (Update)

Update Sept. 22, 11:00 pm: Japeth Aguilar worked out for New Orleans Hornets scout Don Sellers (via HoopsHype).

Unless Aguilar’s agent, Chris McGarry, believes the Hornets are a “top five team in the league” the Spurs could potentially be in the running. But the odds of Aguilar coming to San Antonio have dropped significantly after they offered forward Derrick Brown a one year non-guaranteed contract.

Sept. 20, 7:15 am: Aguilar still has not locked down a roster spot but he did earn two more workouts this week (via ABS-CBN news). McGarry disclosed that one of the teams is from the Eastern Conference and the other, he considers, is one of the “top five teams in the league.” That team could easily be the Spurs but we don’t know for sure.

Sept. 13, 1:08 pm: McGarry didn’t disclose whether the Spurs worked out Aguilar though two NBA scouts reportedly looked at him on Wednesday (via Asian Journal.)

“Well, it’s all over the news. As far as we can say we’re not going to disclose any team, [or] disclose any location. All we can say is that he [Aguilar] had a private workout and call up and we obliged. All we can say is that we’re happy with what happened. We’re happy with the situation.”

Sept. 10, 3:33 pm: Aguilar will workout with the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday according to Joseph Pimentel of ABS-CBNews.

“Aguilar’s agent said they have also scheduled a planned workout for him with the San Antonio Spurs on     Wednesday and are trying to get a workout with the Orlando Magic later this week.”

Prior to his workout with San Antonio on Wednesday, Aguilar will work out with the Bakersfield Jam, the D-League affiliate for the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors.

Aguilar was the No. 1 overall pick of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in 2009 after he was not selected in the NBA D-League draft.

Aguilar was accustomed to playing at the power forward and center positions (despite measuring 6’9″) in the Phillipines but he will need to transition to the small forward spot to garner more consideration in the NBA. Whether he has enough lateral quickness and shooting will invariably decide if he can fulfill the positional requirements of the small forward position.

So far, though, he hasn’t done anything to reduce his stock. Bakersfield assistant coach John Bryant believes he is an “intriguing prospect” and potentially could develop into a special player if he increases his aggressiveness.

“I think right now he’s a little too passive,” Bryant said. “He needs to be the man, and mix that with some     aggression.

“I want to see him throw an elbow or something. Get out of his shell a little and play loose. I think he’ll really     be something special.”

Should Aguilar earn a role with a NBA team in the future, he would be the first Filipino to play in the NBA.

Aguilar appeared in 16 games with Western Kentucky, averaging 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds.

Hat-tip to Jeff Garcia of Project Spurs.