PBA 2017 Draft: Top Picks and Where They Are Now
I still remember the excitement buzzing through the Smart Araneta Coliseum on that pivotal Sunday evening of December 17, 2017. The PBA Rookie Draft always carries a certain electric anticipation, but the 2017 class felt particularly special—a group that promised to reshape franchises. Looking back now, six years later, what strikes me most isn't just where these players landed, but the unpredictable journeys they've undertaken since their names were called. I've followed their careers closely, through championship runs and injury setbacks, and I've come to appreciate how their development arcs tell a broader story about professional basketball's demands and rewards.
When Christian Standhardinger was selected first overall by the San Miguel Beermen, many analysts, myself included, saw it as a strategic masterstroke. Here was a 6'8" Filipino-German forward with international experience, immediately slotting into a championship-caliber system. His rookie season averages of 13.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game were solid, but what impressed me more was how quickly he adapted to the physical PBA style. I recall watching him battle June Mar Fajardo in practice—those sessions must have been brutal, but they undoubtedly accelerated his development. His trade to NorthPort in 2021 initially surprised me, but it proved transformative, giving him the space to blossom into a primary option where he eventually averaged career-high numbers, including what I believe was around 22.7 points per game during the 2022 Commissioner's Cup. Sometimes a change of scenery works wonders, and in Standhardinger's case, it unlocked his full potential.
Kiefer Ravena's draft narrative was unlike any I've witnessed in recent PBA history. Selected second by the NLEX Road Warriors amid much fanfare, his path was immediately complicated by contractual obligations overseas. What many fans might not realize is how meticulously NLEX managed this situation—they understood his value extended beyond immediate availability. When he finally debuted, his impact was instantaneous. I've always admired players with high basketball IQs, and Ravena possesses that in spades. His court vision and clutch performance in the 2018 Commissioner's Cup, where he averaged approximately 16.4 points and 6.1 assists, demonstrated why NLEX exercised such patience. His subsequent move to Japan's Shiga Lakestars created ripples through the PBA landscape, making me wonder if we're witnessing a new era where Filipino stars routinely pursue opportunities across multiple leagues.
The third pick, Jason Perkins by the Phoenix Fuel Masters, has become one of my personal favorites to watch develop. Not as heralded as the top two picks, Perkins embodied the "ready-now" forward that contending teams covet. His rookie season efficiency was remarkable—I recall him shooting around 48% from three-point range in his first conference, an almost unheard-of number for a debutant. What's stayed with me about Perkins is his consistency; while flashier players might grab headlines, he's been the reliable cornerstone through Phoenix's various iterations. His 2022 season, where he posted what I believe were averages of 15.8 points and 7.3 rebounds, earned him the Most Improved Player award—a testament to the value of steady development over explosive stardom.
Reflecting on these careers brings to mind a quote from coach Jeff Napa that has always resonated with me: "Mahaba pa yung season. Very important for us is to be healthy. Masaya kami at least na nalampasan namin 'tong first game na kahit papaano, walang nangyari sa players." This philosophy—prioritizing long-term health and gradual development—feels particularly relevant when evaluating draft classes years later. The organizations that exercised patience, that managed workloads with an eye toward sustainability, often reaped the greatest rewards. Standhardinger needed time to find his ideal role, Ravena required flexibility to navigate international opportunities, and Perkins benefited from a system that valued incremental growth over immediate returns.
The 2017 draft's second round produced its own gems, with players like Robbie Herndon and Sidney Onwubere carving out meaningful roles. Herndon's journey through multiple teams before finding stability at Magnolia exemplifies the league's depth—success isn't reserved for first-round picks alone. I've always found these stories particularly compelling because they highlight the importance of fit and opportunity. Onwubere's transformation into a defensive specialist with NorthPort demonstrates how players can reinvent themselves to extend their careers, posting what I recall was an impressive 1.8 steals per game during the 2021 season despite limited offensive touches.
As I look at the current PBA landscape, the 2017 draft class has undoubtedly left its mark. Three players have become All-Stars, two have won championships in starting roles, and collectively they've accumulated what I estimate to be over 15,000 career points. More importantly, they represent different pathways to success—the immediate contributor, the delayed international star, the steadily developing professional. Their journeys validate the notion that draft position merely opens the door; what happens afterward depends on organizational fit, personal work ethic, and perhaps most crucially, health management. Coach Napa's emphasis on getting through games without player incidents might seem mundane, but it's these fundamental priorities that enable the spectacular performances we celebrate years later. The 2017 class has given us six years of compelling basketball, and if they maintain their health, I'm optimistic we'll enjoy several more seasons of their evolving legacies.