I still remember the excitement buzzing through the PBA community back in 2015—it feels like both yesterday and a lifetime ago. That draft class carried a particular weight, a sense that we were witnessing the foundation of the next generation of Philippine basketball being laid. As someone who has followed the league's development for over a decade, I've always been fascinated by how these annual selections can reshape team fortunes overnight. The 2015 edition was especially intriguing because it wasn't just about the obvious first-round talents; it was peppered with players who had taken unconventional paths, including several who had made their mark in other leagues before seeking PBA glory. This brings me to an interesting connection I've observed—one of the most prolific scorers in the MPBL is looking to make it to the PBA this season, and it reminds me how the 2015 draft set certain precedents for players transitioning from alternative platforms.

When we talk about the 2015 PBA Draft, the name that immediately springs to mind is Moala Tautuaa going first overall to TNT KaTropa. At 6'7" and with a wingspan that seemed to swallow opponents whole, Tautuaa was the consensus top pick, and frankly, I agreed with that assessment. His combination of size and agility was something we hadn't seen in a while. TNT needed a dominant big man, and they got one. What many casual fans might not recall is that Tautuaa averaged around 14.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in his final collegiate season, numbers that, while solid, didn't fully capture his defensive impact. I remember watching his pre-draft workouts and thinking his footwork for a player his size was exceptional. He wasn't just a physical specimen; he had clearly put in the hours to refine his game. Following him, the second pick was Troy Rosario, also to TNT—a move that surprised some analysts but made perfect sense if you understood coach Jong Uichico's vision for a versatile frontcourt. Rosario's ability to stretch the floor with his shooting (I'd estimate he was hitting about 38% from beyond the arc that year) complemented Tautuaa's interior presence beautifully. It was a draft where teams weren't just picking the best available; they were assembling specific puzzle pieces.

The first round unfolded with several other notable selections that have since proven pivotal. Scottie Thompson going to Barangay Ginebra at fifth overall was, in my opinion, one of the steals of the draft. I'll admit, I had my doubts initially—his unorthodox shooting form worried me—but his relentless energy and nose for the ball won me over. Thompson averaged roughly 12.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists in his final UAAP season, a stat line that screamed versatility. Watching him evolve into the triple-double threat he is today has been one of the genuine pleasures of covering the PBA. Then there was Chris Newsome picked fourth by Meralco, a selection I absolutely loved. Newsome brought a polished two-way game that was ready for the pros from day one. His defensive tenacity and ability to finish at the rim gave Meralco an immediate backcourt anchor. What stands out to me about that first round is how many of these players—Tautuaa, Rosario, Thompson, Newsome—have become cornerstones of their respective franchises. It wasn't a draft of flash-in-the-pan talents; it was a draft that built cores.

Now, let's dive into the later rounds, where the real draft gems often hide. The second round is where scouts earn their paychecks, and in 2015, they unearthed a few players who would go on to have solid PBA careers. One that comes to mind is Roi Sumang, picked 11th in the second round by Blackwater. Sumang was a scoring dynamo in the UAAP, but his size was a concern for many teams. I remember thinking Blackwater took a worthwhile gamble. While his PBA journey has had its ups and downs, he provided instant offense off the bench in his early years, averaging around 9.5 points in his rookie season if my memory serves. Another second-round pick, Josan Nimes, landed with Meralco. Nimes was a personal favorite of mine coming out of college—a smart, crafty wing who understood the game at a deep level. Injuries have hampered his career, which is a real shame because I believe he had the basketball IQ to be a steady rotation player for a long time. These later picks highlight a crucial aspect of the draft: success isn't solely defined by the first round. It's about finding value and fit, something that resonates with the current situation of that prolific MPBL scorer aiming for the PBA. His path mirrors these second-round guys—proven production elsewhere, but needing to find the right system and opportunity to translate it to the PBA.

Looking back with the benefit of hindsight, the 2015 draft class has had a profound impact on the league's competitive landscape for nearly a decade. TNT's decision to build their frontcourt around Tautuaa and Rosario paid dividends, contributing significantly to their championship runs in the following seasons. Ginebra's selection of Thompson looks like a masterstroke, as he's become the heart and soul of that team. From my perspective, what made this draft class special was its balance of high-floor players like Newsome and high-ceiling projects like Tautuaa. It provided a blueprint for how to build a team through the draft, a lesson that is still relevant today. As we see new talents from leagues like the MPBL aspire to follow in these footsteps, the 2015 draft serves as a powerful reminder. It showed that whether you're a top pick or a second-round gamble, success in the PBA hinges on talent, yes, but also on fit, coaching, and that unquantifiable will to adapt and improve. The class of 2015, in many ways, set a standard for player development and team-building that we're still measuring subsequent drafts against.