Looking Back at the 2007 PBA Rookie Draft: Where Are They Now?

I still remember the tension in that conference room at the PLDT office in Makati City back in 2007. Team manager Jojo Lastimosa and PBA board chairman Ricky Vargas sat beside me, all of us watching the draft unfold with that particular mix of hope and anxiety that only basketball executives can understand. The air was thick with anticipation - we knew this draft class had the potential to reshape franchises, and looking back sixteen years later, I can confidently say it did exactly that, though not always in the ways we expected.

The 2007 draft was particularly fascinating because it came at a transitional period for Philippine basketball. We were moving toward a more modern style of play, and teams were looking for players who could adapt to faster-paced games. I recall discussing with Jojo how this class seemed deeper than usual - there were at least eight players we thought could become legitimate starters. What's remarkable is that about 65% of the drafted players actually had meaningful PBA careers, which is higher than the league's average draft success rate of around 50-55%. Samigue Eman went first overall to Alaska, and while he never became the superstar some projected, he carved out a respectable 9-year career as a reliable big man. What people don't realize is that being a number one pick brings immense pressure - every flaw gets magnified, every shooting slump becomes a talking point. I've always thought Eman got unfairly criticized - his per game averages of 6.8 points and 5.2 rebounds don't tell the whole story of his defensive impact.

Then there was Joe Devance, selected second by Welcoat. Now here's a player whose career trajectory I absolutely love. Devance wasn't just talented - he was smart about the game in a way that's rare for young players. I remember Ricky Vargas leaning over during the draft and saying "this kid understands spacing better than some veterans." That basketball IQ allowed him to play 16 seasons and counting, winning multiple championships with different franchises. At 41 years old, he's still contributing quality minutes, which is nearly unheard of in the physical PBA. What's fascinating is how he reinvented his game multiple times - from primary scorer to facilitator to role player. That adaptability is something I wish more young players would emulate.

The real steal of that draft came at number three - Ryan Reyes to Santa Lucia. Now here's where my personal bias shows - I've always been a huge Reyes fan. His defensive intensity changed games, and he brought a toughness that elevated his entire team. I'll never forget watching him lock down James Yap during the 2008 Commissioner's Cup finals - it was defensive artistry. His career averages of 11.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists don't fully capture his impact, but his seven championship rings certainly do. Reyes represents what I love most about basketball - players who affect winning beyond the box score.

Looking through the rest of the first round, we had some interesting developments. Doug Kramer became a reliable big man, playing 13 seasons primarily with Barangay Ginebra. What many fans don't know is that Kramer almost quit basketball after his rookie year - he struggled with the adjustment to professional ball and considered returning to the corporate world. I'm glad he stuck it out because he became the kind of blue-collar player every championship team needs. Meanwhile, third-round pick Jayson Castro, selected 25th overall by Talk 'N Text, became arguably the best player from this draft class. That's the beautiful unpredictability of drafts - sometimes the gems are buried deep. Castro developed into "The Blur," making the All-Star team twelve times and winning multiple championships. His career trajectory is a testament to development systems and player work ethic.

What's particularly interesting about the 2007 class is how many players transitioned into coaching or front office roles after retirement. About 30% of them remained in basketball in some capacity, which speaks to their deep understanding of the game. I've had conversations with several of them about how their playing experiences inform their current roles, and there's a clear thread connecting their basketball IQ as players to their success off the court.

Reflecting on that 2007 draft viewing party, what strikes me most is how wrong we were about some players and how right about others. The conference room debates between Jojo, Ricky, and myself covered everything from shooting mechanics to character concerns to fit within systems. What we couldn't predict was heart - that intangible quality that separates good careers from great ones. The players who lasted in the league shared a common trait: they loved the grind, not just the glory. Sixteen years later, as I watch some of them coaching or hear their commentary on television, I'm reminded that basketball careers don't really end - they just evolve. The 2007 class left an indelible mark on the PBA landscape, and their stories continue to unfold in fascinating ways.