Personal information | |
---|---|
Born |
Magalang, Pampanga, Philippines |
May 21, 1976
Nationality | Filipino |
Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
Career information | |
College | San Beda College |
PBA draft | 2001 / Pick: 7th overall |
Selected by the Mobiline Phone Pals | |
Playing career | 1998–2013 |
Position | Small forward / Power forward |
Career history | |
1998 | Pampanga Dragons |
1999–2000 | Cagayan de Oro Amigos |
2001–2003 | Talk 'N Text Phone Pals |
2004–2009 | Sta. Lucia Realtors |
2009–2011 | Powerade Tigers |
2013 | San Miguel Beermen |
2013 | Saigon Heat |
Norman Gonzales (born May 21, 1976) is a Filipino former professional basketball player. He was drafted seventh overall by Mobiline in 2001.
Norman Gonzales is among the league’s toughest sixth man since he entered the league in 2001. He was known for producing big points, sometimes double-double during his amateur days and while he was playing in the defunct MBA, a regional-based professional league in the Philippines when he played in the two MBA teams,the Pampanga Dragons (he was part of the championship team) and the Cagayan de Oro Amigos. Known also as a good defensive stopper inside and outside, Gonzales spent his first two years with Talk 'N Text before signing up as a free agent with Sta. Lucia. He was dragged to controversy in the middle of 2003 regarding his illegal drug use while playing for Talk 'N Text, and his basketball career went down seemingly. But instead of giving up, Gonzales proved his innocence and continuously improved his game especially when Sta. Lucia team governor Buddy Encarnado gave him another chance to redeem his sinking career in 2004.
On August 27, 2009 he was signed by the Coca-Cola Tigers as a free agent where he became one of their reliable role players.
He along with J.R. Quiñahan and two future draft picks were traded to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters for Doug Kramer and Josh Vanlandingham. However, he was not given a contract and was released days after.
After a short stint with the San Miguel Beermen at the beginning of the 2013 ABL season, Gonzales joined the Saigon Heat with only a handful of games left in the same season.