PBA Misses Out Again: Why Players Like Remy Martin Choose Overseas — and What the League Can Do About It
When former Kansas Jayhawks star Remy Martin touched down in Manila on April 15, speculation quickly spread like wildfire: Is he entering the PBA Rookie Draft?
The buzz wasn’t totally unfounded. After all, Martin — the Filipino-American guard who helped lead Kansas to the 2022 NCAA championship — does have the paperwork to join the PBA and made time for charity events, family, and friends while he was here.
But the truth behind the visit? It wasn’t a basketball-related mission. At least, not for now.
Overseas Over Ortigas
According to a source who met with Martin during his short Manila stay, the 6-foot floor general is keeping the PBA in his back pocket — but it’s not the priority. “The PBA will be a nice fallback,” the source said, while confirming that Martin still plans to pursue more lucrative stints overseas.
Martin recently recovered from an injury and last played for Keflavik, leading them to the 2024 Icelandic Cup title as their top scorer. In other words, he’s not only healthy — he’s thriving.
The PBA? It’s on the radar, but not on the immediate path.
Five-Star Talent, Missing from the Local Stage
There’s good reason for the excitement. Martin isn’t just any other prospect — he’s pedigreed.
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High School: Star at Sierra Canyon, one of the elite prep programs in the U.S.
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College: Four standout seasons at Arizona State, averaging 14.9 points, 3.9 assists in 118 games.
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Kansas Jayhawk: Clutch performer in the 2022 NCAA Championship, helping the Jayhawks complete a comeback against North Carolina with timely threes and savvy plays.
He's exactly the kind of player who could elevate the PBA — not just in skill, but in prestige and international appeal.
The Cold, Hard Truth: Money Talks
As much as Martin would love to suit up in his mother’s homeland, money remains a glaring issue.
Even as a top-three draft pick, Martin would earn a maximum of ₱420,000/month under the league’s rookie salary cap. While that might sound respectable locally, it pales in comparison to what he could make in Europe, Asia, or the Middle East.
And the reality is even more discouraging: as a high pick, he could very well land with teams like Blackwater or Terrafirma, franchises known more for racking up losses than nurturing star talent.
It’s the same reason another Fil-Am standout, Quentin Millora-Brown of UP, also chose to skip the draft. The risk-reward equation just doesn’t add up.
The PBA Needs to Catch Up — or Miss Out
The recurring theme is becoming too familiar — talented Fil-Ams flirt with the idea of entering the PBA but ultimately walk away.
This league has always prided itself on being the premier basketball destination in Southeast Asia. But when names like Remy Martin choose to stay away, it’s a clear message: The PBA isn’t doing enough to entice high-level prospects.
If the PBA wants to reverse this trend, it needs to address a few key areas:
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Review the rookie salary cap – or offer structured exceptions for marquee talent.
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Incentivize parity – top picks shouldn’t automatically be sent to teams with little chance of competing.
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Showcase development – offer real career growth and a clear path to Gilas or overseas stints through the PBA.
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Brand the league better internationally – build the PBA as not just a fallback, but a legitimate launching pad.
A Missed Opportunity — But Not the End
For now, Remy Martin will continue dazzling overseas. But the fact that he even considered the PBA is encouraging — a sign that the interest is there, if only the incentives were better aligned.
The league shouldn’t wait for another Martin or Millora-Brown to slip through its fingers.
It’s time for the PBA to step up and build a system that rewards elite talent — not repels it. Because players like Remy Martin aren’t just good for a team. They’re good for the league.
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