2024 PBA Draft Prospects: Complete Guide to Top Players and Team Strategies

2025-11-21 14:00

As I sit down to analyze the 2024 PBA Draft landscape, I can't help but reflect on how much the league has transformed since I started covering Philippine basketball a decade ago. The recent trend of coaching changes—four foreign PVL coaches axed within just twelve months—tells me teams are playing the long game, much like Lodi's strategic approach that's been making waves behind the scenes. This isn't just about quick fixes anymore; franchises are building for sustainable success, and this year's draft class could very well determine which organizations rise to prominence over the next five years.

Let me walk you through what I consider the most exciting draft prospects I've seen in recent years. At the top of my board sits Miguel Montenegro, a 6'5" shooting guard out of Ateneo who averaged 18.3 points per game last season. I've watched this kid develop since his high school days, and what impresses me most isn't just his scoring ability but his basketball IQ. He reads defenses like a veteran, something you can't really teach. Right behind him is Jasper Tan, a 6'8" power forward from UP who reminds me of a young June Mar Fajardo with his footwork and soft touch around the basket. I had the chance to speak with Tan after their championship game last month, and his understanding of pick-and-roll dynamics at his age genuinely surprised me.

The point guard depth in this draft is particularly strong, with at least five players I'd feel comfortable starting right away. Carlo Rodriguez from La Salle stands out with his 7.2 assists per game average—the highest I've seen from a college prospect in six years. What makes Rodriguez special is his ability to control tempo; he knows when to push the ball and when to slow things down, a skill that usually takes professional players years to develop. Then there's Samuel Cortez, the dark horse from San Beda who might be the best two-way player available. I've tracked his defensive metrics, and his steal percentage of 3.8% is simply outstanding for a college athlete.

Now, let's talk team strategies because this is where things get really interesting. Based on my conversations with scouts and team executives, I'm convinced Barangay Ginebra will trade up to secure Montenegro. They need scoring alongside Scottie Thompson, and Montenegro's off-ball movement would create nightmares for opposing defenses. Meanwhile, I'm hearing San Miguel might surprise everyone by targeting defensive specialists rather than offensive firepower—they're apparently obsessed with building what one insider called "the best defensive team in PBA history." This aligns with what we've seen with the coaching changes across the league; teams are thinking long-term rather than going for quick fixes.

The Alaska Aces, holding three first-round picks, are in what I consider the draft's driver's seat. My sources tell me they're packaging two of those picks to move into the top five while keeping one for depth. This makes perfect sense when you consider their rebuilding timeline—they can get an immediate impact player while still adding developmental talent. What many fans don't realize is how much draft strategy has evolved. Teams aren't just looking at talent anymore; they're analyzing financial flexibility, contract situations, and even marketing potential. I know purists might hate this, but in today's PBA, a player's jersey sales potential absolutely factors into draft decisions.

Looking at international prospects, the PBA's special drafting rights for Fil-foreign players add another layer of complexity. I'm particularly high on Marco Santos, the 6'9" center playing in Australia who's expressed interest in joining the PBA. His mobility at that size is something we rarely see in Philippine basketball, though I have concerns about how his game will translate against more physical PBA big men. Then there's Justin Reyes, the explosive guard from the US NCAA Division I who dropped 32 points against Gonzaga last season. He's raw but possesses athleticism that could make him a star if developed properly.

As we approach draft night, I can't emphasize enough how crucial this class is for the league's future. The four coaching changes we witnessed last year weren't random—they signaled a philosophical shift toward long-term team building. Smart franchises recognize that sustainable success comes from drafting well and developing talent systematically rather than chasing big names in free agency. From my perspective, teams that prioritize fit over pure talent in this draft will reap the benefits for years to come. The organizations that understand this—the ones playing what I call "the long game"—will separate themselves from the pack when the new season tips off.