Looking Back at the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft: Top Picks and Career Highlights
Looking back at the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft feels like revisiting a pivotal moment in Philippine basketball history. I remember the palpable excitement in the air that day, the kind of electric anticipation that only comes when you know you're witnessing the birth of future legends. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over two decades, I can confidently say this draft class was special - not just for the raw talent on display, but for the compelling career arcs that would unfold in the years following that fateful day.
The top pick that year was none other than Moala Tautuaa, selected first overall by TNT KaTropa. Standing at 6'8" with incredible athleticism for his size, Tautuaa represented exactly what teams look for in a modern big man. What many might not remember is how close the race for the top spot actually was - I'd spoken with several scouts who were torn between Tautuaa and Troy Rosario, who eventually went second to the same team. Both players have since justified their high selections, with Tautuaa developing into a reliable interior presence and Rosario becoming one of the most versatile big men in the league. Their simultaneous development reminds me of how championship teams are built - through strategic drafting that addresses multiple needs at once.
Then there was the third pick, a guard out of Ateneo named Chris Newsome. I'll admit I had my doubts about how his game would translate to the professional level, but boy was I wrong. Newsome didn't just adapt - he thrived, quickly establishing himself as Meralco's franchise player and becoming one of the most complete guards in the PBA. His career trajectory exemplifies what separates good draft picks from great ones: the ability to grow beyond initial expectations. I've always believed that the mental aspect separates elite athletes from merely good ones, and Newsome's basketball IQ has proven exceptional time and again.
But the draft's real intrigue came later, particularly with the selection of CJ Perez as the fourth overall pick by Columbian Dyip. I distinctly recall Perez's statement before his rookie season: "I hope bago mag-first game namin, makahabol ako. Ngayon talaga, nagre-rehab pa at strengthening." That quote stuck with me because it revealed so much about his character - here was a supremely talented player openly discussing his rehabilitation process and the race against time to be ready for his professional debut. This vulnerability, combined with his obvious talent, made him incredibly relatable to fans. Perez's work ethic since then has been nothing short of remarkable, transforming from a promising rookie into the 2021 PBA scoring champion and ultimately becoming a cornerstone for the San Miguel Beermen after his trade in 2022.
What fascinates me about analyzing drafts years later is seeing which players outperformed their draft positions. Take RR Pogoy, selected fifth by TNT - he's developed into one of the league's premier two-way players, something I don't think even the most optimistic scouts predicted. Or Jio Jalalon, who fell to ninth despite his collegiate dominance, only to become a steals leader and All-Star. These developments speak to the unpredictable nature of player development and why I always caution against judging draft classes too quickly.
The 2015 draft produced approximately 65% of players who would become regular rotation pieces in the PBA, an impressive hit rate considering how many variables determine professional success. From my perspective covering multiple draft classes, what made this group special was its depth - beyond the lottery picks, players like Kevin Ferrer, Mac Belo, and Von Pessumal have all had meaningful contributions to their respective teams. This depth created ripple effects across the league, influencing team compositions and playing styles for years to come.
Reflecting on these careers eight years later, I'm struck by how these players have shaped the modern PBA landscape. The 2015 class brought a new dimension of athleticism and versatility to the league, pushing the game toward a faster, more positionless style. Personally, I believe this draft accelerated the evolution of Philippine basketball, introducing talents that would dominate the late 2010s and early 2020s. Their collective impact reminds us that draft nights aren't just about immediate needs - they're about securing franchise cornerstones who can define eras. As we look toward future drafts, the class of 2015 serves as both inspiration and benchmark for what constitutes a truly transformative group of rookies.