I still remember the humid Manila evening when I first realized how special this PBA draft class could be. I was sitting courtside at the Smart Araneta Coliseum during the 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup, watching the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters practice before their semifinals match. What struck me wasn't their drills or plays, but something happening off the court - Christian Standhardinger and Raymar Jose, two prospects who'd soon dominate draft conversations, were helping each other stretch despite being from different collegiate programs. That moment of genuine camaraderie reminded me of something I'd later hear from veteran players about team chemistry: "It's because love talaga namin, di lang yung ginagawa namin, pero yung bawat isa talaga. Yun talaga yung nagki-keep sa'min together, na hindi kami bibitaw."

That raw, authentic connection between players became the lens through which I viewed what would become your ultimate guide to the 2017 PBA draft list and player rankings. See, most analysts were crunching numbers and measuring vertical leaps, but I found myself watching how these young men interacted during pre-draft workouts, how they supported each other even while competing for limited roster spots. When Kiefer Ravena worked out with Jeron Teng at the Meralco Gym two weeks before the draft, they spent an extra hour helping each other with footwork drills - competitors yes, but brothers first in this basketball-crazy nation of ours.

The actual draft day at Robinson's Place Manila on October 29, 2017, had this electric atmosphere that's hard to describe unless you've experienced Philippine basketball culture firsthand. I was there with my press pass, watching families nervously clutch each other as Commissioner Willie Marcial announced each pick. When San Miguel selected Christian Standhardinger first overall, the German-Filipino big man hugged his mother for a solid 30 seconds before approaching the stage - that human moment told me more about his character than any scouting report ever could.

What made compiling your ultimate guide to the 2017 PBA draft list and player rankings particularly fascinating was tracking the unexpected steals. Sure, everyone knew about the top prospects, but watching Jason Perkins fall to Phoenix at fourth felt criminal to me - I'd seen him dominate in the PBA D-League, averaging 16.8 points and 9.2 rebounds for Marinerong Pilipino. Meanwhile, my personal favorite sleeper pick was Robbie Herndon going to Rain or Shine at 13th - I'd watched him develop from a relatively unknown player into someone with legit two-way potential.

The draft's second round contained what I believe will be remembered as one of the biggest steals in recent memory - J-Jay Alejandro going to NLEX at 17th overall. I'd tracked his progress since his UAAP days with National University, and his basketball IQ alone made him worth a first-round selection in my book. But what really stood out was something his college coach once told me about how Alejandro would organize extra film sessions for younger players - that leadership quality that doesn't show up in combine measurements.

Looking back at my notes from that period, I'm struck by how much the landscape has changed. Of the 27 players drafted that year, approximately 18 remain in the league today - a retention rate of about 66% that's actually higher than the 2016 draft class. What's more telling is how many have become cornerstone pieces for their franchises - Standhardinger's become an integral part of the San Miguel dynasty, Ravena's emerged as NLEX's franchise player, and Teng has developed into a reliable scorer for Alaska.

The true test of any draft class comes years later, and what's remarkable about the 2017 group is how many have exceeded expectations. I remember specifically doubting whether Sidney Onwubere's game would translate to the pros - he proved me completely wrong by becoming a key rotation player for Phoenix. Meanwhile, some players I was high on, like Lervin Flores, haven't quite found their footing yet - which just goes to show how unpredictable player development can be.

What makes your ultimate guide to the 2017 PBA draft list and player rankings relevant even today is tracking how these careers have unfolded. The class produced 3 Rookie of the Year candidates, 2 eventual All-Stars, and at least 5 players who've become starters on their respective teams. The draft's total compensation package for first-round picks amounted to approximately ₱48 million spread across three years - significant money that reflects how teams valued this particular class.

I sometimes wonder how different team fortunes might be if we redid that draft today. Would Ginebra still take Ravena at second knowing how perfectly Standhardinger would fit their system? Would Blackwater reconsider passing on Perkins for Raymar Jose? These hypotheticals are what make draft history so compelling to revisit years later.

The legacy of the 2017 draft class extends beyond statistics and championship contributions. There's a certain toughness to this group - perhaps born from competing in what many consider one of the deepest drafts in PBA history. When I see these players today, whether it's Standhardinger battling in the post or Ravena making clutch plays, I still see glimpses of those young men I watched during pre-draft workouts, their dreams still unfolding one game at a time. And in a league where careers average just 4.7 years, the fact that so many from this class remain impactful speaks volumes about their talent and resilience.