As I sit here scrolling through old PBA highlights, I can't help but feel nostalgic about the 2017 draft class. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed numerous draft classes come and go, but there's something uniquely special about this particular group. Today, I'm excited to share my ultimate guide to the 2017 PBA draft list and player rankings - a draft that produced not just talented athletes, but players who genuinely embodied team spirit and camaraderie.
What made the 2017 PBA draft class so memorable?
Looking back, what struck me most wasn't just the raw talent available that year, but the incredible chemistry these players brought to their teams. Christian Standhardinger going first overall to San Miguel Beer was no surprise - the guy was a beast coming off his international experience. But what truly defined this draft class was how these players embraced their roles and formed genuine bonds with their teammates. I remember watching post-game interviews where players consistently emphasized unity, much like that beautiful quote from our reference material: "It's because love talaga namin, di lang yung ginagawa namin, pero yung bawat isa talaga." This wasn't just about basketball skills - it was about building something meaningful together.
Who were the standout players in your ultimate guide to the 2017 PBA draft list and player rankings?
Let me break down my personal top five from that draft. Standhardinger (1st pick) obviously leads my list - the man averaged 22.8 points and 12.5 rebounds in his rookie season, numbers that still impress me today. Kiefer Ravena (2nd pick) brought that incredible court vision and leadership that NLEX desperately needed. Then you had Jason Perkins (4th pick) proving to be an absolute steal for Phoenix - his consistent performance and team-first attitude perfectly embodied that "yun talaga yung nagki-keep sa'min together" mentality. Completing my top five would be Jeron Teng (5th pick) and Robbie Herndon (6th pick), both bringing different but equally valuable skills to their teams.
How did team chemistry affect player development from this draft class?
This is where my perspective might differ from some analysts. I firmly believe that the success of these players wasn't just about individual talent - it was about how they bought into their teams' cultures. Watching Jason Perkins develop with Phoenix, I noticed how he often spoke about team unity in ways that reminded me of our reference quote about not letting go of each other. The teams that understood this psychological aspect - like San Miguel and Phoenix - ultimately got the most value from their draftees. These players weren't just employees; they became family, and that "hindi kami bibitaw" mentality translated directly to their on-court performance and development.
What surprises emerged from your analysis of the 2017 PBA draft?
Honestly, the biggest surprise for me was how the later picks outperformed some early selections. While the first round produced expected stars, guys like Sydney Onwubere (12th pick) and Joseph Gabayni (13th pick) brought tremendous value relative to their draft positions. Their success stories highlight an important lesson in my ultimate guide to the 2017 PBA draft list and player rankings: draft position matters, but heart matters more. These lower-picked players demonstrated that relentless work ethic and team-first attitude that our reference material emphasizes - they played not just for stats, but for each other.
How has this draft class influenced today's PBA landscape?
Five years later, the impact is undeniable. These players now form the backbone of several franchises. What's fascinating is how they've carried forward that culture of unity they established as rookies. When I watch current games, I still see elements of that "bawat isa talaga" philosophy in how these players interact both on and off the court. They've become mentors to younger players, passing along not just skills, but that crucial team-first mentality. In my view, this draft class didn't just supply talent - it helped reshape team cultures across the league.
What lessons can future drafts learn from 2017?
If I were a PBA team executive studying this draft (and trust me, they should be), I'd emphasize character evaluation just as much as skill assessment. The success stories from 2017 prove that players who genuinely buy into team culture - who embrace that "love talaga namin" approach - tend to outperform their raw talent projections. Teams that focused solely on physical attributes missed out on some gems who understood the deeper meaning of team basketball. My ultimate guide to the 2017 PBA draft list and player rankings ultimately teaches us that basketball isn't just about drafting talent - it's about drafting hearts.
Reflecting on this draft class today, what stands out isn't just the statistics or the highlight reels, but the enduring relationships these players built. That beautiful Filipino concept of "bawat isa" - caring for each other genuinely - might not show up in box scores, but it's what separates good teams from great ones. And honestly, that's what makes revisiting the 2017 draft such a pleasure, even years later.
