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PBA Rookie Draft 2017: Complete Guide to All Picks and Team Selections
I still remember sitting in front of the TV screen back in 2017, watching the PBA Rookie Draft unfold with that special mix of anticipation and anxiety that only true basketball fans would understand. That year's draft class was particularly fascinating—not just because of the raw talent on display, but because of the mental fortitude these young players would need to survive the grueling PBA season. Looking back now, what strikes me most isn't just who got picked where, but how these rookies approached the mental side of the game. I've always believed that physical preparation only gets you so far—it's the mental sharpness that separates good players from great ones.
The first round of the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft saw some predictable yet exciting selections. Christian Standhardinger going first overall to San Miguel Beermen was practically a foregone conclusion—the guy had been dominating the ASEAN Basketball League with Hong Kong Eastern, putting up around 18 points and 12 rebounds per game. What many casual fans didn't see was how he'd been working with sports psychologists to handle the pressure of being the number one pick. Then there was Kiefer Ravena getting snapped up by NLEX at second—a pick that made perfect sense given how badly they needed backcourt leadership. I remember thinking how Ravena's infamous suspension actually showed his mental resilience—he didn't let that setback define his career trajectory.
As the draft progressed into later rounds, teams were clearly looking beyond just physical stats. Phoenix picked Jason Perkins at fourth—a move that surprised some analysts but made complete sense to me. Perkins had this quiet confidence about him that I'd noticed during his UAAP days with La Salle. He wasn't the flashiest player, but he had this remarkable ability to stay focused during crunch time. Meanwhile, CJ Perez slipping to Columbian Dyip at third felt like daylight robbery—the guy averaged 24.4 points in the D-League, yet what impressed me more was how he'd often stay after practice working on specific mental routines.
The second round had its share of gems too—players like Robbie Herndon going to Rain or Shine at 14th overall. Herndon's journey particularly resonated with me because he'd bounced around different leagues before finally getting his PBA break. That kind of career path requires more than just physical training—it demands the kind of mental preparation that the reference material perfectly describes. These players weren't just athletes; they were students of the game constantly sharpening their mental approach.
What made the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft class special wasn't just their basketball IQ—it was their emotional intelligence. I've followed enough drafts to know that players who focus solely on physical preparation often hit a ceiling. The truly successful ones—like several from this draft class—understood the value of mental conditioning. They meditated, visualized games, studied opponents' tendencies beyond basic scouting reports. This comprehensive approach to preparation is what allowed many of them to not just make rosters but become impact players.
Reflecting on that 2017 PBA Rookie Draft now, with the benefit of hindsight, I'm convinced this was one of the most mentally prepared draft classes in recent memory. While the physical talents were undeniable—Standhardinger's strength, Ravena's court vision, Perez's athleticism—what truly set them apart was their commitment to mental sharpness. They understood something essential about professional basketball: your body might get you through the first quarter, but it's your mind that carries you through overtime. That draft night wasn't just about team selections—it was the beginning of journeys where mental toughness would prove just as valuable as any physical attribute.