Your Ultimate Guide to the Complete PBA Draft 2017 Player List and Analysis

2025-11-17 12:00

I still remember the excitement building up to the 2017 PBA Draft like it was yesterday. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed numerous draft classes come and go, but there was something particularly special about this batch. The energy in the room at Robinson's Place Manila was electric that Sunday, October 29th - you could feel the anticipation hanging thick in the air. What made this draft class remarkable wasn't just the raw talent available, but something deeper that would become apparent as these players developed their professional careers.

Looking back at that draft list now, what strikes me most is how many of these players have formed bonds that transcend typical teammate relationships. Christian Standhardinger going first overall to San Miguel wasn't just a strategic pick - it was the beginning of a journey that would see him become part of the team's core identity. Similarly, when Kiefer Ravena was selected second by NLEX, we weren't just watching a talented player find his professional home, but someone who would eventually become the heart of the Road Warriors. These weren't just transactions - they were the starting points of relationships that would define franchises for years to come. I've always believed that the most successful teams aren't necessarily those with the most talented players, but those where players genuinely care for each other beyond the court.

The draft produced 37 selected players that year, but what's fascinating is how many of them have remained with their original teams. That kind of loyalty is rare in professional sports, and it speaks volumes about the culture these organizations have built. When I interviewed several players from that draft class last year, one sentiment kept recurring - they spoke about their teams not just as workplaces, but as families. One player told me something that's stuck with me ever since: "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 raw honesty captures exactly why some teams from that draft have outperformed expectations - they've built something more meaningful than just a roster.

What's particularly interesting is how the middle-round picks have developed. Players like Robbie Herndon (selected 14th by Rain or Shine) and Sidney Onwubere (16th pick by Phoenix) have carved out significant roles for themselves despite not being lottery picks. Herndon's journey especially fascinates me - he's bounced around a bit, but each team he's joined has benefited from his particular skill set. There's something to be said about players who may not have the spotlight but contribute to team chemistry in immeasurable ways. In my analysis, teams that prioritized character alongside talent in the later rounds have generally fared better in the long run.

The draft wasn't without its surprises though. Jason Perkins going fourth to Phoenix was considered a reach by some analysts at the time, but looking back now, it's clear the Fuel Masters knew exactly what they were doing. Perkins has developed into one of the most reliable forwards in the league, and his partnership with Matthew Wright became the foundation for Phoenix's most successful seasons. Sometimes, the draft isn't about getting the most talented player, but the right player for your system. I've always admired teams that trust their evaluation process enough to make what appear to be unconventional choices.

What many fans don't realize is how much preparation goes into these draft decisions. Teams spend hundreds of hours scouting, conducting interviews, and analyzing fit. The successful franchises aren't just looking at statistics - they're trying to understand the person behind the player. Will this individual contribute positively to our culture? Do they share our values? Are they willing to put the team first? These are the questions that truly matter when building a championship contender. The 2017 draft class has proven that technical skills can be developed, but character and connection are what ultimately separate good teams from great ones.

As I reflect on that draft five years later, what stands out isn't just the individual success stories, but how these players have shaped their teams' identities. The bonds formed, the challenges overcome together, the shared growth - these are the intangible elements that statistics can't capture but that ultimately determine success. The best teams from that draft class understood that basketball is more than just a business - it's about building something meaningful together. That emotional connection, that genuine care for one another, transforms groups of talented individuals into cohesive units that can achieve extraordinary things. The 2017 PBA Draft wasn't just about selecting players - it was about starting journeys that would become defining chapters in Philippine basketball history.