Your Ultimate Guide to the 2017 PBA Draft List and Player Selections
I still remember the excitement buzzing through the Mall of Asia Arena back in 2017, that electric feeling you only get when history's about to be made. The PBA Draft that year wasn't just about stats and projections—it was about dreams materializing right before our eyes. What made it truly special, and what I think gets overlooked in all the analytical breakdowns, was the human element. It reminds me of a quote I once heard from a veteran player, though I can't quite recall who said it now: "It's because love talaga namin, di lang yung ginagawa namin, pero yung bawat isa talaga. Yun talaga yung nagki-keep sa'min together, na hindi kami bibitaw." That genuine love for the game and for each other—that's what separates good drafts from legendary ones.
Looking at the draft list now, certain names just jump out at you. Kiefer Ravena going to NLEX as the second overall pick felt almost predestined, like watching a puzzle piece click into place. I'd followed his career since his Ateneo days, and there was something about his court vision that reminded me of the old guards from the 90s—that rare ability to see plays unfold three steps before anyone else. What many casual fans might not realize is that Christian Standhardinger, who went first overall to San Miguel, was actually 28 years old during the draft, making him one of the more mature rookies we've seen in recent years. His journey through the German leagues gave him a physicality that immediately translated to the PBA, and I remember thinking he'd average at least 15 points and 8 rebounds in his rookie season—turns out I was being conservative.
The draft's middle rounds contained what I like to call "draft steals"—players whose impact far exceeded their draft position. Jason Perkins going fourth to Phoenix was one of those selections that had me nodding in approval from my couch. He wasn't the flashiest player coming out of college, but there was a quiet consistency to his game that I've always valued over explosive but unreliable talent. Then there was Robbie Herndon slipping to Rain or Shine at 14th—absolute robbery in my opinion. I'd watched him develop in the D-League and knew his three-point shooting (which I'd estimate at around 38% during that period) would translate beautifully to the pros.
What fascinates me about revisiting this draft isn't just where players were selected, but how their careers unfolded relative to expectations. Some picks that seemed questionable at the time turned out brilliantly, while others that looked like sure things never quite materialized. The beauty of the draft process is that it's equal parts science and intuition—teams spending hundreds of hours analyzing footage while still relying on gut feelings about a player's character and potential. That's where that concept of love for the game becomes so crucial; you can train skills and improve physique, but that genuine passion either exists or it doesn't.
I've always believed the 2017 draft class was particularly strong in backcourt talent, with approximately 60% of the first-round picks being guards or wing players. The league was shifting toward a faster pace and greater emphasis on perimeter shooting, and teams were drafting accordingly. Watching these players develop over the past several years has been like seeing the league's evolution in fast-forward—the style of play changing right along with the new generation's strengths.
There's a particular moment from draft night that stuck with me. When Jeron Teng was selected fifth overall by Alaska, the camera caught him wiping away tears as he hugged his family. In that unguarded moment, you saw beyond the athlete to the person—all the early mornings, the sacrifices, the doubts finally culminating in this achievement. It was a powerful reminder that behind every name on that draft list was a human story, a journey fueled by that love for the game we heard about in that quote. These players weren't just assets being allocated; they were dreamers reaching the starting line of their professional aspirations.
The 2017 draft class has now had several seasons to establish themselves, and looking back, I'd argue about 70% of the first-round picks have become significant contributors to their teams. That's a better success rate than many people predicted at the time. Some have become All-Stars, others reliable role players, a few have bounced around the league—but collectively they've shaped the PBA's landscape in ways we're still appreciating today. What makes analyzing drafts so compelling years later is seeing how initial perceptions align with reality, and the 2017 class offers plenty of fascinating case studies.
What I take away from reflecting on that day is how the draft represents both an ending and a beginning—the conclusion of years of preparation and the start of a professional journey where nothing is guaranteed. That quote about love being what keeps players together and prevents them from letting go resonates because we've seen it play out with this class. The players who've succeeded aren't necessarily the most physically gifted, but those who maintained that genuine affection for the game through the pressures and challenges of professional basketball. As fans, we get to witness that journey, and that's what makes following the draft—and the careers that follow—so endlessly compelling.
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