Looking Back at the 2007 PBA Draft: Where Are the Top Picks Now?
I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2007 PBA Draft like it was yesterday. The air crackled with anticipation as teams prepared to select what many considered one of the deepest talent pools in Philippine basketball history. Sixteen years later, I find myself reflecting on where those top picks have landed, especially when current events like Jojo Lastimosa's recent comments about their import's NBA aspirations bring back memories of similar dreams from that draft class. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball through multiple eras, I've always found it fascinating how these young prospects' careers unfold in ways nobody could have predicted.
The 2007 draft was headlined by Joe Devance going first overall to Welcoat (now Rain or Shine), with James Yap sliding to second despite being considered by many as the most talented player available. I remember arguing with fellow analysts at the time about whether this was the right move – personally, I would have taken Yap first without hesitation given his championship pedigree and proven scoring ability. Devance, while talented, seemed like more of a project. Looking back now, both players carved out impressive careers, though their paths diverged significantly. Yap became the face of Purefoods (now Magnolia) and won multiple championships, while Devance evolved into the ultimate role player, winning titles with different franchises and proving his versatility across multiple positions.
What strikes me most about tracking these players' journeys is how their careers reflect the changing landscape of Philippine basketball. Third pick Samigue Eman, for instance, never quite lived up to the hype despite his physical tools. I recall watching him dominate in the amateurs and thinking he'd be a force in the PBA, but he bounced around several teams before eventually fading from the league. Meanwhile, fourth selection Jay Washington developed into exactly the stretch big man everyone hoped he'd become, though it took him a couple of seasons to find his footing. I've always believed Washington's career could have been even more decorated if he'd stayed healthier – those knee issues really limited his mobility during what should have been his prime years.
The middle of that first round produced some fascinating stories. Sixth pick Doug Kramer became the ultimate blue-collar worker, carving out a 13-year career through sheer hustle and intelligence rather than raw talent. Seventh selection Ryan Reyes developed into one of the best defensive guards of his generation, though injuries hampered what could have been an even more impressive career. I particularly remember watching Reyes lock down imports during the Commissioner's Cup and thinking how undervalued he was in that draft – he should have gone much higher than seventh.
When I think about the careers that emerged from later rounds, it's a reminder that draft position isn't everything. Ronjay Buenafe, selected 11th, became one of the most reliable scorers off the bench for multiple franchises, while JV Casio (who entered the league later due to national team commitments) proved to be worth the wait when he finally joined the PBA. The recent news about Tropang 5G's import hoping for NBA training camp opportunities reminds me how these local players' aspirations often extend beyond the PBA, though very few actually make that jump.
Sixteen years provides enough distance to properly evaluate a draft class, and what stands out to me about 2007 is how many of these players remained relevant well into their 30s. Unlike some drafts where top picks flame out quickly, this group displayed remarkable longevity. Joe Devance was still contributing meaningful minutes at age 38, while James Yap remained a rotation player into his late 30s. That kind of staying power speaks to both their skill development and the evolving training methods in the PBA.
The careers of these 2007 draftees also reflect broader trends in Philippine basketball – the increasing value of versatile big men, the premium on three-point shooting, and the growing importance of player development systems. Watching players like Devance adapt their games over the years showed me how the PBA was evolving from a league dominated by traditional positions to one that valued positionless basketball. This evolution continues today, with current imports bringing skillsets that would have been unthinkable back in 2007.
As I look back at that draft class now, what strikes me most isn't just where they ended up, but how their journeys mirrored the transformation of Philippine basketball itself. From the rise of analytics to changing training methods to the globalization of the game, these players both adapted to and drove the evolution of the sport in the country. The recent social media activity from Tropang 5G's import hoping for NBA opportunities shows how aspirations have expanded, but the foundation for that global thinking was being built back in 2007 by players who raised the level of Philippine basketball. Their legacy isn't just in championships or statistics, but in how they helped transform the PBA into a more modern, professional league capable of producing players with legitimate international aspirations.