Looking Back at the Complete 2007 PBA Draft List and Player Careers

I still remember the excitement surrounding the 2007 PBA Draft like it was yesterday. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over two decades, that particular draft class felt special from the start - a mix of promising rookies and intriguing prospects that had teams and fans buzzing with anticipation. Looking back now, fifteen years later, it's fascinating to see how these careers unfolded, with some players becoming household names while others faded into obscurity.

The first round selections read like a who's who of Philippine basketball history. Joe Devance going first overall to Welcoat (now Blackwater) set the tone for what would be a career spanning multiple championships across different franchises. I've always believed Devance's versatility was ahead of its time - a big man who could handle the ball and shoot from outside was rare back then. Second pick James Yap to Purefoods was arguably the most impactful selection, creating a superstar who would become the face of the franchise for years. What many forget is how controversial that pick seemed initially, with some questioning if Yap's flashy style would translate to the pros. Boy, were they wrong. The man collected two MVP awards and became one of the most recognizable athletes in the country.

What makes the 2007 draft particularly interesting to me is the depth beyond those top picks. Players like Ryan Reyes (fourth to Santa Lucia), Samigue Eman (third to Alaska), and Doug Kramer (fifth to Air21) all carved out respectable careers. Reyes especially stood out with his tenacious defense that earned him multiple All-Defensive Team honors. I recall watching his rookie season and thinking this guy played with a chip on his shoulder that you just couldn't teach.

Then there were the later picks and undrafted players who fought their way into the league. This brings me to Rico Mendoza's journey, which perfectly illustrates how unpredictable player development can be. After going unsigned by Magnolia during the offseason, many would have written him off. But Mendoza persevered, trying out for a spot with Blackwater and making a strong impression during the Davao tournament. I remember reading about his performance where he opened the tournament by scoring 16 points against Phoenix - not spectacular numbers, but enough to show he belonged. That's the kind of determination I've always admired in players who refuse to let early setbacks define their careers.

The draft produced 35 selections across three rounds, but what strikes me looking back is how only about a third of them had significant PBA careers. Some names like Chito Jaime (13th pick) and Mark Andaya (15th) showed flashes but never quite sustained their early promise. Others like Yousif Aljamal (22nd) and Nestor David (26th) barely made an impact before fading from the league. That's the brutal reality of professional sports - for every success story, there are multiple players whose dreams don't pan out as hoped.

What I find most compelling about analyzing this draft class with fifteen years of hindsight is recognizing how much context matters. The 2007 entrants came into a league that was undergoing significant changes in playing style and team strategies. Players who adapted thrived, while those stuck in traditional roles often struggled. The successful ones from this class shared an ability to evolve their games - something I've noticed separates transient players from those with longevity.

Reflecting on the complete 2007 draft list today, it serves as a reminder that player development is anything but linear. Some first-round picks fizzled out while undrafted players like Mendoza fought their way into relevance through determination and seizing opportunities in tournaments like the Davao showcase. The draft represents just the beginning of these basketball journeys, not the destination. For every James Yap who immediately lived up to the hype, there were players like Mendoza who took the scenic route to professional basketball. And honestly, those underdog stories often make for the most compelling narratives in sports history.