2023 PBA Mock Draft: New rules could lead to the DEEPEST draft ever?

The upcoming 2023 PBA Rookie Draft is on the horizon, and an increase in applications is expected as the deadline for local and Fil-Foreigner submissions approaches. The deadline is set for 5 p.m. on September 10 at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City.

A new league policy, approved by the PBA board of governors during a meeting on May 26, will be implemented for this draft, with Terrafirma holding the No. 1 spot in the draft order.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial described the revised rules, including the removal of the 30-year age limit for Fil-foreign players, as “very welcoming.”

The standardized rule now stipulates that a draft applicant, whether local or Fil-Foreign, is eligible if they are 22 years old or older, or at least 19 years old with a minimum of two years completed in college.

Another rule dictates that a draft applicant must have both studied and played in collegiate leagues within the country before participating in a professional league overseas, regardless of their age. However, the applicant must enter the PBA draft within the third year of their eligibility.

However, if an applicant decides to enter the draft during their fourth or fifth year of eligibility after playing in a professional league overseas, they will need to undergo a special computer-generated lottery among the 12 teams.

For applicants who have played abroad and enter the draft in their sixth year of eligibility or beyond, their application is subject to conditions and approval by the Board.

The draft order for the first round, adjusted to account for trades, is as follows: No. 1 Terrafirma, No. 2 Blackwater, No. 3 Rain or Shine, No. 4 Rain or Shine (from Phoenix), No. 5 NorthPort, No. 6 Phoenix (from NLEX), No. 7 NLEX (from Converge), No. 8 Meralco, No. 9 Converge (from Blackwater and TNT), No. 10 Converge (from Magnolia), No. 11 NorthPort (from Ginebra), and No. 12 Terrafirma (from San Miguel Beer). Terrafirma, Rain or Shine, Converge, and NorthPort will each have two picks in the first round. San Miguel, Ginebra, Magnolia, and TNT do not possess first-round picks.

Now, that means two big names is now free to enter. I am talking about Jason Brickman and Stephen Holt. Both guys are so good that they can be a top 20 player right away.