Is Shamari Spears worth the gamble?

That’s the big question B-Meg Derby Ace and its huge number of supporters want to know in taking in the undersized power forward from the Charlotte 49ers, a team from the Atlantic 10 in the US NCAA.

The 235-pound Spears is listed 6-foot-6 in the US and experts are wondering whether this young player can replace the team’s first import Robert Brown.

Brown, a stocky wingman, easily passed the 6-foot-4 height limit as he was measured at 6-foot-2 and 5/16.

Brown was an Australian Basketball League All-Stars slam dunk winner, Argentinian All-Stars Most Valuable Player, and made the eurobasket.com All-Imports team last year.

But the import failed to impress the squad in some of the team’s tune-up matches, forcing the Llamados to shop around for a backup reinforcement.

And Spears is the ideal choice.

The player, who was booted out of the 49ers’ line-up by first-year coach Alan Major more than two months ago, is scheduled to arrive 12 midnight Monday, Feb. 21. Prior to his dismissal, Spears was averaging 17 points and 3.2 points per game for the 49ers.

B-Meg Derby Ace coach Jorge Gallent said it’s still not clear whether Spears will be the one suiting up for the Llamados’ first game of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup next week or the team will stick it out with Brown.

“We have to see Spears first," said Gallent in a text message to GMA News. “He will attend our practice on Monday and from there we will decide."

Spears’ game isn’t the only concern of the Llamados. The import will need to pass the 6-foot-4 height in order for him to play.

Eddie Basden, also listed 6-foot-6 in the US, exceeded the height limit and was sent home by the Alaska Aces. The Aces eventually tapped LD Williams as the import replacement.

Rey Joble, GMA News TV