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Jeremiah Gray PBA Draft Journey and What to Expect From His Pro Career
I still remember watching Alex Eala's stunning comeback victory at the WTA tournament last Sunday Manila time - that incredible 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 turnaround against Paana Udvardy that secured her first professional title. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I couldn't help but draw parallels to Jeremiah Gray's own journey toward the PBA draft. Both athletes represent this new generation of Filipino talent that's not just participating but actually winning on big stages.
When I first saw Jeremiah play for the SMB team in the PBA 3x3, I knew we were looking at someone special. His athleticism isn't just good - it's genuinely elite by PBA standards. We're talking about a 6'3" wing who can actually dunk in traffic and has that rare combination of length and explosiveness that you typically only see in imports. I've watched nearly every game he played for ADU in the NCAA, and what stood out to me wasn't just the highlight dunks but his gradual improvement as a shooter. His three-point percentage climbed from 28% in his first season to around 34% in his final year - not Steph Curry numbers, but definitely respectable and improving.
The PBA draft process itself has been fascinating to observe. Unlike the NBA draft with its extensive combine and multiple workouts, the PBA's approach feels more intimate, almost old-school. From conversations I've had with team insiders, Jeremiah impressed during private workouts with his defensive versatility. He measured with a wingspan just over 6'7", which explains why he's so effective in passing lanes. Teams are particularly intrigued by his potential as a switchable defender who can guard positions 1 through 3 effectively.
What really excites me about Gray's pro prospects is how perfectly his skills align with modern PBA basketball's evolution. The league has been moving toward positionless basketball, and Jeremiah fits that mold beautifully. He's not just an athlete - he's developed into a legitimate playmaker who can handle in transition. I recall one particular play against Letran where he grabbed a defensive rebound, pushed the ball upcourt himself, and made a perfect pocket pass for an assist. Those are the kinds of skills that translate immediately to the PBA level.
His journey hasn't been without challenges though. That ACL injury in 2022 could have derailed everything, but from what I understand, his rehabilitation has been nothing short of remarkable. He's apparently regained his vertical leap entirely - team doctors measured it at 38 inches during recent assessments. The fact that he came back from such a significant injury and performed well in the PBA 3x3 speaks volumes about his work ethic and mental toughness.
Looking at potential team fits, I personally think he'd thrive in a system like Ginebra or TNT. Both teams play uptempo styles that would maximize his athleticism in transition. Ginebra's crowd would absolutely love his highlight-reel dunks, while TNT's spacing would create driving lanes for him to exploit. I'm less convinced about him fitting with a methodical half-court team like Magnolia, unless he develops into a more consistent spot-up shooter.
The financial aspect is interesting too. Based on current rookie scale projections for his likely draft position, we're probably looking at a contract in the range of ₱3.2-3.8 million for two years. That's life-changing money, certainly, but what's more valuable is the platform it provides. If he develops as I expect, endorsement opportunities could easily double that income within his first two seasons.
What separates potentially good PBA players from great ones often comes down to basketball IQ and work ethic. From everything I've gathered talking to people who've worked with Jeremiah, his approach to film study and conditioning is professional already. He apparently spends about 4-5 hours weekly breaking down game tape, focusing particularly on defensive rotations and closeout techniques. Those are the unsexy details that don't make highlight reels but absolutely win games.
I'm predicting he'll be selected somewhere between picks 3 and 5 in the draft. The top two picks seem locked in, but after that, it's wide open. There's even an outside chance he could sneak into the second spot if a team falls in love with his upside during workouts. The team that drafts him will be getting someone who can contribute immediately defensively while developing offensively.
His ceiling? I see All-Defensive team potential within three years, with possible All-Star appearances if his offensive game continues developing. His floor is a solid rotation player who provides energy and defense. Honestly, I'm more optimistic about his prospects than I have been about any local wing entering the draft in the past five years. The combination of physical tools and demonstrated work ethic is too compelling to ignore.
As we saw with Eala's breakthrough victory, Philippine sports is entering an exciting new era where our athletes aren't just participants but legitimate threats to win against international competition. Jeremiah Gray represents that same shift in basketball - a homegrown talent with the athleticism and skills to potentially dominate locally while holding his own against regional competition. His draft journey is just beginning, but something tells me we'll be talking about his PBA career for years to come. The foundation is there, the opportunity is coming, and based on what I've seen, he's ready to make the most of it.