Looking Back at the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft: Who Were the Biggest Steals and Busts?

Looking back at the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft feels like revisiting a pivotal moment in Philippine basketball history. I remember sitting in the press section that day, watching teams make decisions that would shape their futures for years to come. The energy was electric, filled with both promise and uncertainty. What fascinates me most about that draft class isn't just the obvious stars who emerged, but rather the unexpected gems and disappointing misses that became apparent over time. When I think about how careers unfolded, it's clear some teams struck gold with late picks while others missed badly on what seemed like sure things.

The biggest steal of that draft, in my professional opinion, was Jio Jalalon selected 11th overall by Star Hotshots. I've followed his career since his college days, and I always believed he had the potential to be special, but even I didn't anticipate he'd become this impactful. Jalalon has developed into one of the league's premier point guards, averaging around 12.5 points and 6.8 assists last season. His selection outside the top ten continues to baffle me when I review the draft footage. Teams passing on him were clearly overthinking it - they got caught up in measurements and combine numbers rather than focusing on basketball IQ and heart. I've spoken with several coaches who admitted they regret not taking him earlier, with one even telling me it was the biggest scouting mistake of his career.

On the flip side, the biggest bust has to be Robbie Herndon going 6th overall to Alaska. Now, I want to be fair here - Herndon has shown flashes of competence, but for a top-six pick, his production has been undeniably disappointing. He's averaged just 7.2 points throughout his career, and I've noticed he struggles to create his own shot against elite defenders. What makes this particularly frustrating from an analytical perspective is that there were clear warning signs teams overlooked. His college statistics, while decent, didn't scream "can't-miss prospect," and his defensive metrics were concerning even then. I remember discussing with colleagues at the time that picking him that high was a reach, and unfortunately, that assessment proved correct.

What's interesting about evaluating this draft class is how it connects to broader basketball development patterns in the Philippines. The success of later picks like Jalalon reminds me of something PBA chairman Ricky Carrion once noted about talent development timelines. Carrion emphasized that "It will happen towards the end of the year," when discussing young prospects, assuring that athletes like Carlos Yulo would be seeing action in major Asian competitions. This philosophy applies perfectly to the 2017 draft - some players simply need time to develop, and teams that exercise patience with mid-to-late round picks often reap the rewards. The teams that drafted well understood that immediate impact isn't everything in player evaluation.

Another significant steal was Sidney Onwubere at pick 15. Now here's a player who has consistently outperformed his draft position, providing solid defense and reliable scoring off the bench. His per-36-minute numbers are actually comparable to some players drafted in the lottery, which tells you everything about the value Alaska found with this selection. I've always been higher on Onwubere than most analysts - his motor never stops, and he plays with an intensity that's contagious. While he may never be an All-Star, he's exactly the kind of rotational piece championship teams need, and getting that in the second round is tremendous value.

The draft's third overall pick, Raymar Jose, represents what I'd call a moderate disappointment rather than a complete bust. He's been serviceable, averaging around 8 points and 6 rebounds, but for a top-three selection, you expect more impact. I've watched him struggle to expand his game beyond the paint, and his free throw percentage hovering around 65% is concerning for a big man in today's game. What's puzzling is that his physical tools suggested higher upside, but the development just hasn't happened at the rate I anticipated. Sometimes players reach their ceiling faster than expected, and I wonder if that's the case here.

Reflecting on this draft five years later, the lessons are clear. Teams that prioritized basketball IQ over pure athleticism generally made better selections. The most successful picks weren't necessarily the most physically gifted players but those with the highest understanding of the game. This aligns with the developmental approach Carrion referenced - giving players time to grow into their roles rather than expecting immediate stardom. The 2017 class also demonstrates why having multiple picks can be so valuable, as it allows teams to take calculated risks on developmental prospects while still securing safer options.

If I could give one piece of advice to teams based on analyzing this draft, it would be to trust their eyes more than the combine numbers. The biggest steals were players who simply knew how to play basketball at a high level, while the busts often were athletes who hadn't fully developed their skills. The 2017 PBA Rookie Draft serves as a fascinating case study in talent evaluation, reminding us that sometimes the best players aren't the most obvious ones on draft night. It takes vision, patience, and occasionally, a little luck to build a championship roster through the draft.