Dwight Howard joined by former NBA All-Defensive Teamer on Philippines team

Jan 15, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) arrives at Toyota Center before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Dwight Howard apparently still has some pull.

Justin Kenneth Carandang of GMA Network reports this week that former Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson will be joining Howard on Philippines professional team Strong Group. The team will compete in the Dubai International Basketball Championship, an international tournament set for Jan. 19-28. Ex-Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets big Andray Blatche, who has already competed for the Philippines national team as a naturalized player, will be on Strong Group’s roster too, the report adds.

Roberson, 32, was a former NBA first-round draft pick and played in the league from 2013-21 (with Oklahoma City and, very briefly at the end, Brooklyn). He was known for his elite defensive chops, making an All-Defensive Team in 2017.

Meanwhile, Howard, 38, just signed with Strong Group earlier this week after spending last season on the Taoyuan Leopards of Taiwan’s T1 League. He unsuccessfully tried to recruit a host of notable NBA names to join him in Asia but now finally seems to have convinced one to do so in Roberson.