The road to the PBA’s golden anniversary season is heating up, with a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh collegiate standouts lining up for the much-anticipated Season 50 Rookie Draft.
Leading the early batch of 29 applicants are two big names: Jason Brickman, a former US NCAA assists leader, and Will Gozum, the NCAA Season 98 Most Valuable Player. Both officially filed their draft papers at the PBA office on Tuesday, signaling their intent to make the leap into Asia’s first pro basketball league.
The deadline for submission of draft applications is Friday, August 29, at the close of office hours.
At 33, Brickman enters the draft as the most experienced among the pool. The Fil-Am playmaker carved out a stellar collegiate career at Long Island University, where he led the NCAA Division 1 in assists during his junior (8.5 apg) and senior (10.0 apg) years. He remains one of only four players in Division 1 history to surpass 1,000 career assists.
Since then, Brickman has built an impressive résumé overseas, suiting up for San Miguel Alab Pilipinas, Strong Group Athletics, and the MPBL’s Abra Weavers, while also winning a championship with the Kaohsiung Aquas in Taiwan’s T1 League.
Gozum, meanwhile, represents the new wave of local talent. The 6-foot-6 forward powered the College of St. Benilde Blazers to a runner-up finish in NCAA Season 98, claiming MVP honors in the process. His decorated career began much earlier, when he won a junior MVP award with the Mapua Red Robins while leading them to the Season 92 crown. Currently, Gozum is sharpening his game with the MPBL’s Quezon Huskers.
Several other notable names have joined the draft pool, including Gozum’s St. Benilde frontcourt partner Mark Sangco, FEU standout LJay Gonzales, UST’s Christian Manaytay, Ateneo’s Chris Koon and Sean Quiteves, and Letran’s Ira Battaler. Former Batang Gilas guard Dalph Panopio, Gerard Wilson, and UE’s Ethan Galang also filed their applications.
Rounding out the early list are Jan Marc Almendras, Mario Barasi, Jay-R Basallote, Reggs Gabat, Jonathan Gesalem, Vince Gomez, Raphael Mallari, John Manalang, Ram Mesqueriola, Chris Miller, Robi Nayve, Kobe Arevalo Pableo, Marc Poole, Lian Morgan Ramiro, John Edcel Rojas, Kyle Tolentino, Joshua Yerro, and Romeo Yu.
Before draft day on September 7 at the Mall of Asia Music Hall, all applicants will showcase their skills in the PBA Draft Combine set for September 4 and 5 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig—an event expected to play a big role in shaping the final order of picks.