Christopher Elijah Duque Newsome (born July 25, 1990) is a Filipino American professional basketball player for the Meralco Bolts of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Chris Newsome
Newsome in 2023
No. 11 – Meralco Bolts
PositionGuard / small forward
LeaguePBA
Personal information
Born (1990-07-25) July 25, 1990 (age 34)
San Jose, California, U.S.
NationalityFilipino / American
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High schoolRio Rancho
(Rio Rancho, New Mexico)
College
PBA draft2015: 1st round, 4th overall pick
Selected by the Meralco Bolts
Playing career2015–present
Career history
2015–presentMeralco Bolts
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Philippines
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2022 Hangzhou Team
Southeast Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2023 Phnom Penh Team
Men's 3x3 basketball
Representing  Philippines
Southeast Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2019 Philippines Team

Early life

edit

Newsome was born in San Jose, California. He is the second child of Carmelita (née Duque), a Filipina, who hails from Parañaque and Eric, an African American. He has an older brother, Eric Jr. and younger sisters Nishelle and Melissa. When the Newsomes moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, he attended his secondary education at Rio Rancho High School. His first sport was baseball and football, but did not play basketball until he reached seventh grade.[1][2] He helped the Rio Rancho HS Rams win the 5A State Championship in 2007.[3]

College career

edit

Newsome attended the New Mexico Highlands University, an NCAA Division II school for three years.[4][5] In his final season with the Cowboys in 2011, he averaged 10.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per outing.[6] He was recruited by then-Ateneo head coach Norman Black to play for the Blue Eagles and for the Philippine national team that will play for the Southeast Asian Games.[7] He accepted the offer and spent two years of residency (as per UAAP rules for foreign students) before finally seeing action for Ateneo in 2013.[8][9] In his final season with the Blue Eagles, he posted averages of 14 PPG and 8 RPG while earning a spot among the UAAP Season 77 Mythical 5 team.[10]

Amateur career

edit

Newsome suited up for the Hapee Fresh Fighters in the PBA D-League, where he teamed up with fellow college standouts and future draft batchmates Troy Rosario, Baser Amer, Garvo Lanete and Scottie Thompson.[11] Together, they helped the Fresh Fighters win its first ever PBA D-League title in 2015.[12]

Professional career

edit
 
Newsome with the Meralco Bolts in 2016

Newsome was drafted fourth overall by the Meralco Bolts in the 2015 PBA draft, reuniting with his former collegiate coach Norman Black.[13] A few days after the draft, he signed a three-year deal with the Bolts.[14]

In his PBA debut on October 28, 2015, he finished with a team-high-tying 14 points, including two on a highlight slam dunk over San Miguel's Arwind Santos.[15] Newsome quickly rose to stardom. He participated in the PBA All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest, making it to the final round only to lose to two-time defending champion, Rey Guevarra. He became a key player in Meralco's rotation as the season went on. He helped Meralco get to the Semi-Finals of the 2016 PBA Commissioner's Cup and to the Finals of the 2016 PBA Governors' Cup before eventually losing to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

He was named as the PBA Rookie of the Year 2016 during the PBA Leo Awards Night. Other nominees for the league's newcomer trophy were Maverick Ahanmisi, Arthur dela Cruz, Troy Rosario and Moala Tautuaa.[16]

Newsome started the 2016–17 Philippine Cup with a career-high 28 points with 10 rebounds in a win against the NLEX Road Warriors.[17] After a six-game losing streak, he led the team to a win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters with 19 points and 6 assists.[18] They didn't make the playoffs that conference, finishing with a 47-point loss to the Star Hotshots.[19] That season, he was snubbed from the All-Star Game,[20] but he was able to win his first Slam Dunk title, finishing just one point ahead of James Forrester.[21] The Bolts made it to the playoffs of the Commissioner's Cup, losing to the TNT Katropa in the first round.[22] In the Governors' Cup, he had 7 steals in a win against the Phoenix Fuel Masters.[23] He finished the elimination round with a Player of the Week award, for averaging 21 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1 steal in 2 games and securing first place for the Bolts.[24] He was also nominated for Best Player of the Conference, losing to Greg Slaughter.[25] Meralco lost once again to Ginebra in the Finals.[26]

In the 2018 Commissioner's Cup, Newsome had 30 points in a win against NLEX.[27] He was snubbed once again from the 2018 All-Star Games.[28] He competed once again in the Slam Dunk Contest, but this time didn't make it to the final round.[29]

In the 2019 Governors' Cup, against Phoenix, he recorded his first triple-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists.[30] Against San Miguel, he was dangerously fouled by Kelly Nabong as he was going for a drive.[31] Nabong was fined 30,000 pesos for those actions.[31] The Bolts made it to the Finals, matching up with Ginebra once again.[32] In Game 1, he scored 17 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter.[33] Despite his efforts, Meralco lost that game.[33] They would go on to lose in 5 games.[34]

In the 2020 Philippine Cup, Newsome hit a buzzer-beating, baseline fadeaway jumper to give Meralco the win over the Terrafirma Dyip.[35] In the playoffs, they upset the Beermen, but lost to Ginebra in the semis.[36]

In a game against the Magnolia Hotshots, Newsome sank the game-winning layup and finished with 14 points.[37] During the 2021 Philippine Cup, Newsome, along with teammate Cliff Hodge, was placed into the league's health and safety protocols, forcing them to miss two games.[38] In his return from protocols, he was fined 20,000 pesos for the flagrant foul 2 he committed against Anthony Semerad.[39] The Bolts made it to the semis once again, but this time lost to Magnolia in six games.[40] In the Governors' Cup playoffs, they matched up against Magnolia once again. In Game 2, he scored 18 points to help Meralco tie up the series 1–1.[41] He then teamed up with his backcourt partner Chris Banchero to take Game 3.[42] The Bolts finally put Magnolia away in Game 5, as he scored 18 points (11 in the fourth quarter), 12 assists, eight rebounds, three steals, and a block.[43] For that performance, he was awarded Player of the Week. They faced Ginebra in the Finals once again, and lost in six games.[44]

National team career

edit

Newsome was ineligible to play in most FIBA tournaments for the Philippines because of a rule that states players are eligible to play for their countries only if they acquired their respective passports before the age of 16.[45] He was able to play for the Philippines in the 2019 SEA Games 3x3 tournament because of less restrictions.[46] Along with teammates CJ Perez, Jason Perkins, and Moala Tautuaa, they helped the Philippines claim gold for that event, sweeping the tournament in the process.[47]

In 2022, Newsome was cleared by FIBA to play as a local for the Philippines.[48] He was given an exemption because he has been living in the Philippines for over 10 years.[49] He made his national team debut during the fourth window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.[50]

Newsome was included in the 21-man pool of the Philippines for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.[51] However, he was not included in the 12-man final roster.[52] He got to play in the 2022 Asian Games. In the gold medal game against Jordan, he scored 13 points while defending Jordan's naturalized player Rondae Hollis-Jefferson as the Philippines won its first Asian Games gold medal in basketball in 61 years.[53]

Career statistics

edit
Legend
  GP Games played   GS Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

edit

[54]

Elimination rounds

edit
Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013-14 Ateneo 14 30.1 .512 .235 .762 8.3 2.6 .6 .5 13.1
2014-15 14 30.4 .436 .462 .744 7.9 2.6 1.3 .9 13.5
Career 28 30.3 .473 .372 .752 8.3 2.6 .9 .7 13.3

Playoffs

edit
Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014-15 Ateneo 2 33.3 .636 1.000 .857 6.5 3.0 1.0 1.5 18.0
Career 2 33.3 .636 1.000 .857 6.5 3.0 1.0 1.5 18.0

As of the end of 2023–24 season[55]

Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015–16 Meralco 51 30.6 .480 .288 .758 4.7 3.9 1.0 .4 12.1
2016–17 Meralco 48 35.1 .450 .291 .760 6.0 5.0 1.2 .4 13.3
2017–18 Meralco 41 34.7 .427 .429 .846 5.5 5.0 .9 .3 13.9
2019 Meralco 45 35.8 .441 .283 .813 5.8 3.8 1.1 .3 14.6
2020 Meralco 18 36.3 .421 .250 .767 5.7 4.9 1.4 .4 13.9
2021 Meralco 40 34.8 .408 .320 .797 5.2 5.0 1.2 .4 13.0
2022–23 Meralco 38 35.3 .432 .373 .748 5.2 4.8 1.0 .1 14.9
2023–24 Meralco 39 35.5 .397 .289 .862 5.5 4.4 .9 .3 16.2
Career 320 34.5 .433 .319 .797 5.4 4.5 1.1 .3 13.9

Off the court

edit

Newsome was a columnist for the Philippine edition of NBA.com.[56] He is also a photographer for the Bolts' social media accounts.[56] In 2018, he was named as a brand ambassador for TAG Heuer.[57]

References

edit
  1. ^ Mendoza-Dayrit, Mylene (August 6, 2013). "How Chris Newsome stays fit and awesome". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  2. ^ "Clovis defeats Rio Rancho 38-8". Clovis News Journal. September 28, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  3. ^ "2007 First Community Bank State Basketball Championships" (PDF). New Mexico Activities Association. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  4. ^ "Chris Newsome - Waiting To Exhale". AthleticsInMotion.Blogspot.com. February 7, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  5. ^ "New Mexico Highlands University Cowboy and Cowgirl Athletics - Chris Newsome - 2010-2011 Men's Basketball". Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  6. ^ Yodice, James (April 25, 2011). "Philippines Beckons Ex-Ram". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  7. ^ Herron, Gary (April 24, 2011). "Newsome to play hoops in Philippines". Rio Rancho Observer. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  8. ^ Terrado, Reuben (February 14, 2013). "Perasol expects Fil-Am guard Newsome to play big role in Ateneo's six-peat bid". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  9. ^ "Former Ram Newsome flyin' in the Philippines". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  10. ^ Ganglani, Naveen (October 4, 2014). "Ateneo's Chris Newsome went down swinging". Rappler. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  11. ^ Terrado, Reuben. "Hapee Toothpaste set to add NU's Troy Rosario to powerhouse D-League lineup October 9, 2014". SPIN.ph. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  12. ^ Ganglani, Naveen (February 19, 2015). "Hapee bags D-League title behind Thompson's heroics". Rappler. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  13. ^ "Full Results: 2015 PBA Rookie Draft". GMA Network. August 23, 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
  14. ^ Sacamos, Karlo. "Rookie Chris Newsome signs three-year deal with Meralco Bolts". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  15. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (October 28, 2015). "San Miguel takes win No. 2, spoils impressive debut of Meralco's Chris Newsome". Spin.ph. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  16. ^ "Chris Newsome named PBA Rookie of the Year 2016". PinoyBoxBreak. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  17. ^ Ramos, Gerry (December 3, 2016). "Young guns Newsome, Ed Daquioag spark late run to lead Meralco past NLEX". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  18. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (January 20, 2017). "Chris Newsome just glad to have 'monkey off our backs' after Meralco snaps six-game skid". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  19. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (March 18, 2017). "Embarrassing 47-point loss at end of Philippine Cup motivated Bolts to start Comm's Cup strong, says Newsome". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  20. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (March 27, 2017). "Mallari, Mercado, Newsome lead standouts left out from three PBA All-Star teams". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  21. ^ Jacinto, Christian (April 28, 2017). "Chris Newsome beats sentimental favorite Forrester by a point for first PBA slam-dunk title". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  22. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (June 9, 2017). "TNT KaTropa denies Meralco in overtime thriller, seals semis playoff vs Ginebra". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  23. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (August 18, 2017). "Durham comes up big as shorthanded Meralco spoils Phoenix debuts of Chan, Brown". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  24. ^ "Chris Newsome earns PBA Player of the Week citation as Meralco scores two big wins en route to No. 1". Spin.ph. September 25, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  25. ^ Ramos, Gerry (October 15, 2017). "Greg Slaughter caps injury comeback by beating out rival Fajardo for Best Player award". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  26. ^ Dioquino, Delfin (October 27, 2017). "Ginebra prevails in Game 7 to win second straight Govs' Cup title". RAPPLER. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  27. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (May 4, 2018). "Meralco gets back on winning track, sends weary NLEX reeling to third successive loss". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  28. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (May 21, 2018). "Anthony, Manuel, Newsome lead standouts left out of three PBA All-Star teams". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  29. ^ Jacinto, Christian (May 25, 2018). "Newsome showcases Filipino heritage by dancing tinikling, jumping over 'sorbetero' Paras". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  30. ^ Terrado, Reuben (October 7, 2019). "First career triple-double a testament to team play, says Chris Newsome". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  31. ^ a b Terrado, Reuben (October 30, 2019). "Kelly Nabong fined P30,000, given stern warning for dangerous foul on Newsome". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  32. ^ Terrado, Reuben (December 24, 2019). "Chris Newsome thrilled Meralco has another shot at PBA title against Barangay Ginebra". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  33. ^ a b Terrado, Reuben (January 7, 2020). "Big Aguilar block on Durham preserves Ginebra's Game One win over Meralco". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  34. ^ Ramos, Gerry (January 18, 2020). "Justin Brownlee gives Chris Newsome encouraging words after yet another Meralco loss in finals". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  35. ^ Ramos, Gerry (November 8, 2020). "Newsome says game-winner 'a shot I've practiced hundreds of times'". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  36. ^ Terrado, Reuben (December 30, 2020). "PBA yearender: Meralco Bolts savor best all-Filipino showing ever". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  37. ^ Bacnis, Justine (September 1, 2021). "Newsome game-winner completes Meralco rally, deals Magnolia first loss". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  38. ^ Ramos, Gerry (September 22, 2021). "Newsome, Hodge rejoin Meralco but Hugnatan to miss final two elims games". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  39. ^ Ramos, Gerry (September 23, 2021). "Chris Newsome fined P20K for flagrant 2 on Anthony Semerad". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  40. ^ Dioquino, Delfin (October 15, 2021). "Magnolia dispatches Meralco in Game 6, reaches PH Cup finals anew". RAPPLER. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  41. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (March 25, 2022). "Meralco outduels Magnolia in a grind-out Game Two, squares series". Spin.ph. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  42. ^ MICALLER, BEA (March 27, 2022). "Banchero-Newsome backcourt shines as Meralco takes 2-1 series lead vs Magnolia". GMA News Online. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  43. ^ "Chris Newsome earns PBA Press Corps Player of the Week citation". Spin.ph. April 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  44. ^ Terrado, Jonas (April 24, 2022). "Meralco shattered in pieces after another painful defeat". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  45. ^ Terrado, Reuben (October 7, 2018). "Black rues Fiba eligibility rules as Meralco left depleted in Champions Cup". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  46. ^ Ramos, Gerry (October 8, 2019). "Ineligible in Fiba, Newsome relishes shot at Gilas 3x3 team to SEA Games". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  47. ^ AGCAOILI, Lance (December 2, 2019). "Gilas rips Indonesia to cap perfect run to SEA Games 3x3 gold medal". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  48. ^ Li, Matthew (July 23, 2022). "Adams, Newsome, Mav Ahanmisi cleared to play as locals by FIBA". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  49. ^ Reuben, Terrado (July 24, 2022). "Newsome honored by SBP push to make him eligible to play for Gilas as a local". Spin.ph. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  50. ^ Morales, Luisa (August 31, 2022). "What made Chris Newsome's Gilas debut extra-special". Philstar.com. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  51. ^ Terrado, Reuben (June 6, 2023). "Clarkson, Brownlee, Kouame head 21-man Gilas pool for World Cup". spin.ph. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  52. ^ Ventura, Sid (August 23, 2023). "Gilas Pilipinas confirm final 12 for FIBA World Cup". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  53. ^ Ramos, Gerry (October 6, 2023). "World Cup final cut Chris Newsome proves worth in gold-winning Gilas team". Spin.ph. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  54. ^ "Raymar Jose - Career Stats - HumbleBola". Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  55. ^ "Chris Newsome Player Profile, Meralco Bolts - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com.
  56. ^ a b "All Articles Written by: Chris Newsome". NBA.com Philippines. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  57. ^ Terrado, Reuben (October 25, 2018). "Fajardo, Thompson, Asi lead cast of new TAG Heuer ambassadors". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
edit