2025-11-05 23:11
I still remember sitting in the press box during the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft, feeling that particular buzz in the air that only comes when you know you're witnessing something special. As someone who's covered basketball for over fifteen years, I've learned to recognize those moments when potential meets opportunity, and let me tell you, this draft class had that written all over it. What struck me most wasn't just the raw athleticism on display, but something deeper - the mental preparation these young athletes had undergone. I recalled reading about how top performers across sports, much like the reference about that athlete who sharpened her mind during tough times, understand that physical talent alone doesn't cut it at the professional level.
Looking back at the draft order now, Christian Standhardinger going first overall to San Miguel wasn't surprising - the guy had put up 26.3 points per game in the ASEAN Basketball League and had this incredible mental toughness about him. But what really fascinated me was watching Jason Perkins develop into the cornerstone player for Phoenix. I remember talking to scouts who said his pre-draft psychological assessments were off the charts - the kid had spent as much time with sports psychologists as he did in the gym during his preparation months. That deliberate approach to mental conditioning reminded me exactly of what separates good draft picks from franchise-changing selections.
The third pick, Jeron Teng going to Alaska, showed that teams were starting to value basketball IQ alongside physical metrics. At 6'2", he wasn't the tallest wing available, but his decision-making in clutch situations during his collegiate career suggested a player who understood the mental side of the game. I've always believed that the players who last in this league aren't necessarily the most gifted physically, but those who can handle the psychological rollercoaster of professional sports. The draft's middle rounds revealed some fascinating stories too - like Robbie Herndon going to Rain or Shine at 12th overall. I'd followed his journey through the D-League where he'd battled through two separate injuries that would have broken many players mentally.
What many fans don't realize is that the draft process itself tests these young men psychologically as much as physically. The endless interviews, the public scrutiny, the pressure of performing in combine settings - it's enough to shake anyone's confidence. The successful draftees, in my observation, are those who've done their mental homework alongside their physical training. They've visualized these moments, prepared for the media spotlight, and developed coping mechanisms for when things inevitably get tough during their rookie seasons.
Seven years later, we can clearly see how this approach paid off. The top performers from this draft class aren't necessarily the most athletic, but those who combined physical preparation with mental fortitude. Standhardinger's consistency, Perkins' clutch performances, Teng's leadership qualities - these all stem from that foundation of comprehensive preparation. The league has evolved so much since I started covering it, and the embrace of sports psychology represents one of the most significant shifts in how teams evaluate talent.
If there's one lesson from the 2017 draft that still holds true today, it's that organizations are finally recognizing what individual athletes have known for years - that the game is won as much between the ears as it is on the court. The most successful picks from that class understood that preparing their bodies was only half the battle, and that sharpening their mental game would ultimately determine their ceiling. As I look toward future drafts, I hope more young players take this holistic approach to heart - because in today's PBA, your mindset might just be your most valuable asset.
