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Looking Back at the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft: Where Are They Now?
I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft like it was yesterday. The atmosphere at Robinson's Place Manila was electric, filled with hopeful young athletes and team executives sizing up the next generation of basketball talent. Having covered Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed numerous draft classes, but this particular group always stood out to me because of their unique journey and how they've navigated the challenging landscape of professional basketball.
Looking back, Christian Standhardinger going first overall to San Miguel wasn't surprising - the German-Filipino big man had already shown his capabilities in international play. What fascinated me more were the later picks, the players who had to fight for their spots. Kiefer Ravena, selected second by NLEX, immediately made an impact with his court vision and leadership. But what many fans don't realize is that between his stellar rookie season and the challenges that followed, including that FIBA suspension in 2018, Ravena had to completely reinvent his approach to the game. I recall interviewing him during that difficult period, and he shared how he took time not only to prepare his body but also to sharpen his mind through meditation and studying game footage obsessively.
The real gems of this draft class emerged in the middle rounds. Jeron Teng, picked fourth by Alaska, developed into a reliable scorer despite initial doubts about his shooting range. Jason Perkins, selected fourth by Phoenix, transformed himself from a college star into one of the most consistent power forwards in the league. What impressed me most about Perkins was his work ethic - he reportedly spent extra hours working on his three-point shooting, increasing his percentage from 28% in his rookie year to nearly 38% by his third season. These players understood that physical training alone wasn't enough; they had to develop mental toughness to survive in the PBA's grueling schedule.
Some draft picks took longer routes to success. Sidney Onwubere, chosen 11th by Rain or Shine, bounced between teams before finding his groove. I've always believed teams gave up on him too quickly - his defensive versatility was evident even during his rookie year, but it took him three seasons and a move to Phoenix before he truly blossomed. Meanwhile, some highly-touted prospects like Robbie Herndon (picked 13th by Rain or Shine) and Joseph Gabayni (selected 15th by GlobalPort) never quite reached their projected potential, reminding us how unpredictable player development can be.
Five years later, approximately 60% of the 2017 draftees remain in the league, which is actually above average for a PBA draft class. Standhardinger and Ravena have become All-Stars, while Perkins and Teng have established themselves as core players for their respective teams. The ones who succeeded shared a common trait: they recognized early that professional basketball demands more than physical gifts. They invested in mental conditioning, studied opponents meticulously, and developed resilience during slumps and injuries.
What this draft class taught me is that while talent gets players drafted, mental fortitude determines their longevity. The players who are still thriving today understood that the game is as much psychological as it is physical. They embraced the grind, learned from failures, and constantly sought ways to improve both their bodies and minds. As I look at current prospects entering the PBA, I often find myself comparing them to the 2017 class - wondering who will follow the path of Standhardinger and who might surprise us like Perkins did. This particular group set a remarkable standard for mental preparation that I believe today's young players would do well to emulate.