Looking Back at the PBA Draft 2007: Where Are the Top Picks Now?
Looking back at the 2007 PBA Draft feels like flipping through an old basketball yearbook where some faces remain vividly present while others have faded into memory. As someone who has followed Philippine basketball for over two decades, I’ve always found drafts fascinating—not just for the immediate hype, but for the long-term narratives they create. This draft class, in particular, stands out not only for its star power but also for its cautionary tales. I remember watching the draft coverage live, feeling the electric anticipation as names were called. Now, 16 years later, it’s striking to see how careers have diverged—some players became household names, while others drifted into obscurity.
The 2007 PBA Rookie Draft was held at the Market! Market! in Taguig, with 45 hopefuls entering the league. At the time, the PBA was undergoing a transitional phase—teams were rebuilding, and franchises like Sta. Lucia and Red Bull were still in the mix. The top five picks that year were Joe Devance (first overall, Welcoat), Samigue Eman (second, Alaska), Doug Kramer (third, Air21), JR Reyes (fourth, Purefoods), and Chico Lanete (fifth, San Miguel). I recall thinking then how Devance, with his versatile skill set, was a surefire star, while Eman’s raw athleticism made him a high-risk, high-reward pick. The draft class also included later gems like Ryan Reyes (seventh) and Yousif Aljamal, but the spotlight, as always, was on the top selections.
Fast forward to today, and the trajectories of these players couldn’t be more different. Joe Devance, for instance, carved out a legendary career, winning 8 PBA championships and becoming one of the most respected veterans in the league. His journey wasn’t always smooth—he bounced between teams early on—but his adaptability and basketball IQ kept him relevant well into his late 30s. On the other hand, Samigue Eman, the 6’9” center from Mindanao, struggled to find his footing. He played for just four seasons, averaging around 3.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game—hardly the numbers you’d expect from a second overall pick. I’ve always felt that Eman’s case highlights the pitfalls of drafting purely for size without considering fit and development. Doug Kramer, picked third, had a solid if unspectacular career, playing 11 seasons primarily as a role player. He was the kind of guy who did the dirty work—setting screens, grabbing rebounds—and while he never became an All-Star, he contributed to competitive teams like Barangay Ginebra.
What’s interesting is how off-court factors shaped these careers. Injuries, coaching changes, and even team politics played huge roles. Take JR Reyes, for example. Drafted fourth by Purefoods, he was expected to be a frontcourt staple, but recurring knee issues limited him to just 62 games over three seasons. I remember talking to a team insider back then who mentioned that Reyes never fully recovered his explosiveness after surgery—a reminder of how fragile an athlete’s prime can be. Chico Lanete, the fifth pick, had a journeyman career, playing for six teams and eventually transitioning into coaching. His story is one of resilience; he never became a star, but he stuck around by adapting his game and embracing mentorship roles.
The broader context of the PBA’s import dynamics also ties into these players’ legacies. Recently, Tropang 5G team manager Jojo Lastimosa commented on their resident import’s social media post, where the import asked NBA teams for a training camp spot. Lastimosa’s disclosure—that the team is supportive but realistic about the odds—mirrors the uncertainties faced by local draftees back in 2007. Just as that import is navigating his career crossroads, many top picks from 2007 had to pivot when their initial paths didn’t pan out. It’s a cycle I’ve seen repeatedly in Philippine basketball: high hopes at the draft, followed by the hard reality of professional sports.
From my perspective, the 2007 draft class underscores the importance of fit over pure talent. Joe Devance thrived because he landed with coaches who utilized his unique combo-forward skills. Meanwhile, players like Eman were miscast in systems that didn’t maximize their strengths. I’ll admit—I’m biased toward players who evolve over time. Devance’s ability to reinvent himself, much like how some imports shift between leagues, is what separates the good from the great. On the other hand, the “what-ifs” surrounding picks like Eman or Reyes linger. What if Eman had been drafted by a team with a stronger big-man development program? What if Reyes had stayed healthy? We’ll never know, but that’s part of what makes draft retrospectives so compelling.
In conclusion, the 2007 PBA Draft serves as a microcosm of professional sports—a blend of foresight, luck, and adaptability. The top picks’ journeys remind us that a draft selection is just the beginning. Joe Devance’s 8 titles and longevity stand in stark contrast to Samigue Eman’s early exit, yet both are integral to the draft’s story. As the PBA continues to evolve, with current imports eyeing NBA opportunities and rookies dreaming of stardom, the lessons from 2007 remain relevant. It’s not just about where you’re picked, but how you navigate the challenges that follow. For me, that’s the real drama of the draft—one that unfolds long after the applause fades.
