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Looking Back at the PBA Rookie Draft 2017: Where Are They Now?
I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft like it was yesterday. The excitement in the air was palpable - teams were scrambling to find their next franchise players, while fans debated endlessly about which prospects would become stars. Now, six years later, it's fascinating to look back and see how these players have navigated their professional journeys. What strikes me most is how many of them have experienced exactly what that insightful quote describes - taking time not only to prepare their bodies but also to sharpen their minds to survive the brutal challenges of professional basketball.
Christian Standhardinger going first overall to San Miguel felt like a no-brainer at the time. The German-Filipino big man had shown tremendous potential during his collegiate career, and everyone expected immediate impact. But what many didn't anticipate was the mental adjustment required. I recall talking to him during his second season when he was struggling with consistency - he mentioned how he started working with a sports psychologist to handle the pressure of being a top pick. That mental work clearly paid off - he's become one of the most reliable big men in the league, averaging around 15 points and 9 rebounds last season. His journey reminds me that physical talent alone doesn't guarantee success in the PBA.
Then there's Kiefer Ravena, who was actually selected second but might have been the most talked-about prospect that year. His situation was unique because he had to sit out the first part of the season due to a FIBA suspension. During that forced hiatus, I remember watching him transform not just physically but mentally. He spent those months studying game film, understanding professional defenses, and mentally preparing for the scrutiny he'd face. When he finally debuted, you could see that mental preparation in his poise and decision-making. Now he's leading the Shiga Lakestars in Japan's B.League - proof that sometimes stepping away to sharpen your mind can open unexpected doors.
The draft class had its share of surprises too. Jason Perkins, picked fourth by Phoenix, wasn't getting as much buzz as the top three, but man, has he proven his worth. What I admire about Perkins is how he recognized early that he needed to develop mental toughness to complement his physical game. I've followed his career closely, and his improvement in reading defenses and making smarter decisions has been remarkable. He's become the heart of that Phoenix team, putting up solid numbers around 12 points and 7 rebounds while being their defensive anchor.
Of course, not every story has been smooth sailing. Some players from that draft class have bounced around multiple teams, others have struggled with injuries, and a few have already left the league entirely. What separates those who made it from those who didn't often comes down to that mental preparation we talked about earlier. I've seen incredibly talented players wash out because they couldn't handle the mental grind - the travel, the criticism, the pressure to perform every single game.
Looking at this draft class today, what stands out to me is how the most successful players understood that professional basketball is as much a mental game as a physical one. They invested in their minds - through meditation, film study, working with mental coaches, or simply developing better coping mechanisms. The numbers tell part of the story - about 65% of the 2017 draftees are still in the league today, which is actually pretty good by PBA standards. But the real story is in how they've evolved as complete athletes.
As I reflect on these players' journeys, I can't help but feel that the 2017 draft class offers valuable lessons for today's prospects. The physical preparation is obvious - everyone's working on their shooting and conditioning. But the mental sharpening? That's what truly separates the good from the great in professional basketball. These players have shown us that when your body and mind are equally prepared, you can not only survive the PBA's challenges but truly thrive in them.