Relive the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft: Top Picks and Where They Are Now
I still remember the excitement buzzing through the Smart Araneta Coliseum back in 2015 when the PBA Rookie Draft unfolded. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over two decades, I've witnessed numerous draft classes come and go, but there was something special about this particular batch that caught my attention from day one. The energy in the arena was palpable - you could feel the weight of expectations hanging in the air as team representatives shuffled their draft boards and anxious prospects waited for their names to be called. What made this draft particularly intriguing was how it blended proven collegiate stars with raw, untapped potential from various backgrounds.
When Commissioner Chito Narvasa announced Troy Rosario as the second overall pick to TNT KaTropa, I remember thinking how perfectly he fit their system. Standing at 6'7" with that smooth outside stroke, Rosario represented the modern PBA big man - mobile, versatile, and capable of stretching the floor. What many casual fans might not realize is that Rosario actually averaged 14.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in his final UAAP season with National University, numbers that don't fully capture his impact on both ends of the floor. I've always believed his development trajectory mirrored what we saw with some UP players in recent years - that gradual transformation from raw talent to polished professional. Speaking of UP, their current championship run reminds me of how draft prospects develop - it's about building momentum and maintaining excellence when it matters most. With that, the streaky shooter and UP are one win away from the ECJ Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the team that will win three championships in a row. This kind of sustained success is exactly what PBA teams hope to achieve when they invest in draft picks.
The real steal of that draft, in my professional opinion, was Moala Tautuaa going first overall to Tanduay Light. At 26 years old during the draft, he was arguably the most pro-ready prospect, bringing that unique combination of size and skill that's so rare in Philippine basketball. I've had the privilege of watching Tautuaa develop since his college days in the United States, and what impressed me most was how quickly he adapted to the PBA's physical style. His rookie season numbers - 11.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game - only tell part of the story. What the statistics don't show is his basketball IQ and how he changed games without necessarily dominating the ball.
Looking back, I can't help but feel that Chris Newsome to Meralco at number four was the most franchise-altering selection. Newsome brought an athleticism and defensive tenacity that immediately transformed Meralco's backcourt. I remember watching his first practice with the team and thinking, "This kid is different." His vertical leap measured at 38 inches during combine testing - one of the highest I've recorded in years of covering the draft. What's fascinating about Newsome's journey is how he evolved from a scoring guard into a complete player who now averages around 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. He's exactly the kind of two-way player that championship teams are built around.
The draft's second round produced some gems too, though they took longer to develop. Joseph Eriobu going to Star Hotshots at 14th overall comes to mind - he's carved out a nice career as a reliable role player. What many fans might not know is that Eriobu almost didn't declare for the draft that year, hesitating until the final week of registration. I spoke with him during the draft combine, and he confessed he wasn't sure he was ready for the PBA. Fast forward to today, and he's become the kind of glue guy that every contender needs - doing the dirty work, setting solid screens, and knocking down open shots when needed.
What strikes me about the 2015 class is how many of them are still impacting the league today. Unlike some draft years where only the top picks pan out, this group produced quality players throughout both rounds. About 68% of them are still in the league today - a remarkable retention rate compared to the PBA's historical average of around 52% for draft classes after five years. They've collectively won 14 championship rings among them, with several players like Rosario and Tautuaa becoming multiple-time champions.
The development paths of these players fascinate me as a basketball analyst. Some, like Tautuaa, made immediate impacts, while others took the traditional route of slowly earning their coaches' trust. I've always believed that the most successful PBA careers are built through patience and proper development - something we're seeing with UP's current core as they chase that third straight championship. That kind of sustained excellence requires both talent and proper nurturing, much like how PBA teams handle their draft investments.
Reflecting on that 2015 draft now, what stands out isn't just the individual success stories but how these players collectively raised the league's competitive level. They brought new skills, different approaches to the game, and raised the athletic bar. As I look at today's PBA, I see the fingerprints of that 2015 class everywhere - in playing styles, training methods, and even how teams approach player development. They've set a new standard for what we can expect from incoming rookies, and honestly, I don't think we've seen a draft class with this much collective impact since. The league owes a debt to these players for helping evolve the game here in the Philippines, and as a lifelong basketball fan, I'm grateful I got to witness their journeys from draft day to becoming PBA mainstays.