I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft like it was yesterday. The atmosphere at Robinson's Place Manila was electric, filled with hopeful young athletes and team executives making franchise-altering decisions. Having covered Philippine basketball for over a decade now, I've witnessed numerous drafts, but there was something special about this particular class that made me pay closer attention. These weren't just names on a draft board - they were future stars who would shape the league for years to come.
When I look back at that draft now, what strikes me most is how many of these players have become cornerstone pieces for their respective teams. The top three picks - Moala Tautuaa, Troy Rosario, and Scottie Thompson - have all developed into legitimate stars, though their career trajectories have been fascinatingly different. Tautuaa went first overall to TNT KaTropa, and while he's become a solid contributor, I've always felt he hasn't quite reached the dominant potential many of us saw in him during his ASEAN Basketball League days. Rosario, selected right after him, has developed into exactly what you'd want from a modern big man - stretching the floor with his shooting while maintaining defensive versatility.
But the real steal of that draft, in my professional opinion, was Scottie Thompson at number five. I'll admit I had doubts about whether his unorthodox game would translate to the PBA, but boy was I wrong. The guy has not only become the heart and soul of Barangay Ginebra but has collected a Most Valuable Player award along the way. His relentless energy and unique playmaking ability from the guard position have made him one of the most watchable players in the league today.
What makes the 2015 draft particularly memorable though is the depth beyond those top picks. Chris Newsome went fourth to Meralco and has developed into one of the premier two-way guards in the league. His athleticism and defensive intensity have made him a perennial All-Star, though I've always wondered how his career might have looked if he'd landed with a different team system. Then there's the curious case of Norbert Torres - selected sixth by Rain or Shine, he's become a reliable rotation big man, but never quite the dominant force some scouts predicted.
The middle rounds produced several players who've carved out meaningful careers. Jansen Rios, picked eighth, has become a valuable 3-and-D specialist for Alaska before their disbandment, while Josan Nimes has shown flashes of brilliance when healthy. But the player whose journey I've found most compelling is CJ Perez, selected first overall in the special Gilas draft that same year. I recall interviewing him early in his professional career when he was still recovering from injury. "I hope bago mag-first game namin, makahabol ako. Ngayon talaga, nagre-rehab pa at strengthening," Perez told me with that characteristic determination in his eyes. Watching him overcome those early challenges to become the scoring champion and eventual MVP we see today has been one of the more rewarding narratives to follow.
What's particularly striking about this draft class is how many of these players remain impactful nearly a decade later. Out of the 23 players selected that day, approximately 14 are still active in the league today - that's an impressive retention rate of about 61% for a draft that's eight years old. These aren't just end-of-bench players either - many have become starters and even franchise cornerstones. The 2015 class has combined for over 15 All-Star appearances, 4 championship rings among the top five picks alone, and countless memorable moments that have defined the modern PBA era.
From my perspective as someone who's analyzed basketball talent for years, the success of this draft class comes down to several factors. The PBA's developmental leagues were starting to bear fruit, providing better preparation for incoming rookies. Teams were also getting smarter about drafting for fit rather than just pure talent. But what really made this class special was the work ethic - these weren't just talented athletes; they were students of the game who continued developing long after draft night.
As I reflect on that 2015 draft class today, what stands out isn't just the individual success stories, but how these players have collectively raised the level of Philippine basketball. They've been through contract negotiations, injuries, championship runs, and heartbreaking losses. They've evolved from wide-eyed rookies to seasoned veterans mentoring the next generation. The draft that once represented potential has now become legacy - and what an impressive legacy it's turning out to be.