Who Made the Cut in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft and Where Are They Now?

I still remember the excitement buzzing through the Philippine basketball community back in 2017. The PBA Rookie Draft that year felt particularly special - there was this tangible sense that we were about to witness the arrival of players who could shape the league for years to come. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over two decades, I've learned that draft classes can be deceiving. Some years promise greatness but deliver mediocrity, while others surprise us with hidden gems. The 2017 class, I'm happy to report, fell squarely into the latter category.

Christian Standhardinger going first overall to San Miguel Beermen was about as surprising as Manila traffic during rush hour. The German-Filipino big man had already shown his capabilities in international play, and his selection felt like a sure thing. What many didn't anticipate was how quickly he'd become a cornerstone franchise player. In his rookie season alone, he put up impressive numbers - I recall him averaging around 14.2 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting close to 52% from the field. Those aren't just good numbers for a rookie; they're All-Star caliber production. Watching his development has been fascinating because he didn't just rely on his physical gifts. There were stretches where he struggled, particularly on defense against quicker big men, but he worked tirelessly on his footwork and positioning.

The real steal of that draft, in my completely biased opinion, was Jason Perkins going to Phoenix at fourth overall. I'll admit I had doubts about whether his game would translate to the pros, but boy was I wrong. Perkins brought this incredible work ethic that reminded me of some of the league's classic power forwards. His rookie season numbers - approximately 11.5 points and 6.8 rebounds - don't fully capture his impact. He became that glue guy every championship team needs, doing the dirty work that doesn't always show up in box scores.

What's particularly interesting about several players from this draft class is how they've approached the mental side of professional basketball. I've had conversations with team staff members who've shared how certain players from this group specifically worked on psychological preparation. There's this great story about one player (who shall remain nameless) who hit the infamous "rookie wall" around mid-season. The adjustment from collegiate or amateur ball to the PBA's grueling schedule can brutalize young players, both physically and mentally. But the thing that got her through such a rough stretch in her career was taking time not only to prepare her body but also to sharpen her mind. This approach - focusing on mental resilience alongside physical training - has become increasingly common among the more successful draftees from 2017.

Look at Robbie Herndon, selected seventh by Star Hotshots. His journey hasn't been linear - he's bounced between teams, facing inconsistent minutes and role changes. Yet he's carved out a respectable career as a reliable wing defender and spot-up shooter. Then there's Sidney Onwubere going to Rain or Shine at ninth - another player who understood that physical tools alone wouldn't guarantee success. His development into a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions didn't happen by accident; it came from studying film and understanding offensive schemes.

Five years later, reflecting on this draft class reveals some patterns about what separates transient players from lasting professionals. The ones who stuck around didn't just work on their jump shots or conditioning - they developed what I like to call "basketball IQ resilience." They learned to handle the travel, the media scrutiny, the pressure of performing night after night. They understood that professional basketball is as much a mental marathon as it is a physical contest. The 2017 draft gifted us with players who've become mainstays precisely because they invested in their complete development - body and mind working in concert. That's the real lesson emerging from this particular group of athletes, and it's why I believe we'll continue seeing many of them contributing meaningfully for seasons to come.