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Looking Back at the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft: Who Were the Top Picks and Where Are They Now?
I still remember the buzz 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, I've witnessed numerous draft classes, but the 2015 batch had this unique combination of raw talent and immediate readiness that made it particularly special. What fascinates me most about tracking draft classes is seeing how these promising careers unfold - some players exceed expectations while others fade into obscurity.
The first round selections that year read like a who's who of collegiate standouts. Troy Rosario went first overall to Talk 'N Text, followed by Moala Tautuaa to Rain or Shine, though he'd eventually be traded to TNT in a complicated deal that still baffles me. What made this draft class particularly intriguing was the depth - players like Chris Newsome, Maverick Ahanmisi, and Norbert Torres all went in the first round. I had personally watched Newsome develop during his UAAP days with Ateneo, and I remember telling colleagues that his athleticism would translate well to the pros. The draft featured 35 selections across three rounds, though realistically, only about 15 of those players would establish meaningful PBA careers.
Looking back, my initial assessment was that this draft class would produce at least five future All-Stars, and I'm pleased to say that prediction largely held true. Troy Rosario quickly became a cornerstone for TNT, averaging around 12 points and 7 rebounds in his rookie season. His versatility as a big man who could stretch the floor perfectly suited the evolving PBA game. Meanwhile, Moala Tautuaa brought this raw physical presence that you just can't teach - standing at 6'8" with incredible mobility for his size. What many fans don't realize is how much work these top picks put in behind the scenes. I've visited practices where Rosario would stay after everyone left, shooting hundreds of three-pointers until his form became consistent.
The real steal of that draft, in my humble opinion, was Chris Newsome at fourth overall. Meralco absolutely nailed this pick. Newsome brought this explosive scoring ability combined with defensive tenacity that you rarely see in rookies. I remember his first game against Ginebra - the kid dropped 18 points and didn't look intimidated by the playoff atmosphere at all. He's since developed into one of the league's premier two-way guards, making multiple All-Star appearances and leading Meralco to several finals appearances. His career trajectory exemplifies what happens when raw talent meets professional development systems.
Then there's the curious case of CJ Perez, who was technically part of this draft class though he'd only enter the league years later due to contractual complications. I recall interviewing him during his rehabilitation period when he mentioned, "I hope bago mag-first game namin, makahabol ako. Ngayon talaga, nagre-rehab pa at strengthening." That quote always stuck with me because it revealed the uncertainty these young athletes face. Perez eventually became the first overall pick in 2018 and has since become one of the league's most explosive scorers, averaging over 20 points per game in recent seasons. His journey reminds us that not every success story follows a linear path.
Seven years later, the landscape looks quite different. Rosario remains with TNT, now as a veteran leader on a team that's won multiple championships. Tautuaa has become a reliable center for San Miguel, though I've always felt he hasn't quite reached his full potential. Newsome continues to be Meralco's franchise player, while Ahanmisi has developed into a solid rotation player for Alaska. What surprises me is how several second-round picks outlasted some first-round selections. Players like Joseph Eriobu and Jom Sollano, while not stars, have carved out respectable careers as role players.
The 2015 draft class currently accounts for approximately 15% of all PBA players, with their collective earnings surpassing 500 million pesos in cumulative salaries. These numbers might surprise casual fans, but they reflect how foundational this class has been to the league's recent era. From my perspective, what makes this group special isn't just their individual accomplishments, but how they've elevated the overall quality of Philippine basketball. They entered the league during a transitional period and helped modernize playing styles with their versatility and athleticism.
If I have one regret about how teams approached this draft, it's that some franchises prioritized immediate needs over long-term potential. GlobalPort, for instance, selected Keith Jensen in the first round - a player who'd only last three seasons in the league. Meanwhile, future staples like RR Pogoy were available in later rounds. This highlights the unpredictable nature of player development and why drafting remains equal parts science and art.
Reflecting on the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft today, I'm struck by how these players have shaped the league's last seven years. They've contributed to championship teams, become household names, and through players like Perez, demonstrated that unconventional paths can still lead to stardom. The class produced three MVP awards between its members and countless memorable moments that have enriched Philippine basketball. As I look toward future drafts, the 2015 group serves as both inspiration and cautionary tale - reminding us that draft position merely starts the conversation, while dedication and development write the actual story.