A total of 70 players threw their names into the PBA Draft that will be held on July 14 at Glorietta in Makati City.
Justine Baltazar headlines what turned out to be a stacked PBA Draft class.
Joining the projected top overall pick in the 70-man Draft are highly-touted prospects like RJ Abarrientos and Dave Ildefonso, who are fresh from their stints in the Japan B.League and Korean Basketball League, respectively.
[READ: Like father and brother: Dave Ildefonso bares plans to join 2024 PBA Rookie Draft]
Fil-Am cagers Caelan Tiongson and Sedrick Barefield are also finally taking their act to the premiere league in Asia.
Before suiting up for the Jones Cup-bound Strong Group Athletics, Tiongson, a Biola University alum, also played for Alab Pilipinas in 2018.
“I don’t know who’s gonna pick me but whoever does I just want someone who’s gonna want me and take care of me. Excited for whoever picks me,” Tiongson said.
Meanwhile, Barefield once played in the NBA G League with Okalahoma City Blue before becoming a journeyman. He also reinforced the Bay Area Dragons in the EASL Champions Week.
UAAP champions with La Salle Evan Nelle, Mark Nonoy, Ben Phillips, Jonnel Policarpio, and Francis Escandor also threw their names into the July 14 Draft at Glorietta in Makati City.
Former UAAP star Jerom Lastimosa, whose jersey was retired by Adamson last year, also decided to turn pro after a collegiate career that saw him become a member of the Mythical 5 team.
Other UAAP standouts include CJ Cansino, Kai Ballungay, Xyrus Torres, and Abdul Sawat.
Here are the complete list of aspiring PBA players: