Stephen Holt: No. 1 Draft Pick in the 2023 PBA Season
International prospect Stephen Holt was selected No.1 overall by Terrafirma in the highly anticipated PBA Season 48 Draft held on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at the Market! Market! in Taguig City.
According to the 31-year-old Stephen Holt, he turned down a ‘bunch of European offers’ in exchange for his intentions to join Asia’s first pay-for-play basketball game.
The veteran international prospect was handed the honor of heading the 2022 Draft Class after Holt’s impressive career overseas, particularly in Europe, and also for his stint with the Canton Charge in the NBA G League.
During the past few weeks, Terrafirma Head Coach Johnedel Cardel indicated that his team preferred a big man instead of Holt, but he also noted that he’s interested in getting the service of Holt.
One of the most exciting twists in the recently concluded PBA Draft was when Ricci Rivero slid down to the No. 17 in the PBA draft.
Aside from Stephen Holt, who became the top pick of this 2023 class, Christian David was selected by Blackwater at No. 2, followed by Rain or Shine’s back-to-back first-round picks by selecting two big men with Luis Villegas at No. 3 and Keith Datu at No. 4.
According to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), 79 players were drafted among the record 124 aspirants.
One of the most prominent names in the list of draftees is online sensation Kyt Jimenez, who was picked 76th overall in the ninth round by San Miguel. Kyt Jimenez made a name for himself after he was featured for Mav’s Phenomenal Basketball in a series of exhibition games.
Aside from Stephen Holt, other prominent names that were selected in this year’s edition of the PBA draft include former UP standout Zavier Lucero, who was selected fifth overall and was chosen by NorthPort.
Kenneth Tuffin was picked sixth overall by Phoenix Super LPG; he is also one of the international prospects playing with the Wellington Saints in New Zealand.
Filipino-New Zealander Richard Rodger was picked by the NLEX Road Warriors at No.7, while Fil-Aussie big man Brandon Bates was the first-round draft choice of Meralco at No. 8.
Converge also made some significant choices as they used their back-to-back first-round pick to get the service of former La Salle star Schonny Winston at No. 9 and ex-Ateneo player BJ Andrade at No. 10.
Northport selected last year’s NCAA Rookie of the Year, Cade Flores from Arellano University, and Terrafirma ended their first-round pick with NCAA Division 2 product Taylor Miller at No. 12 picked overall in the PBA Rookie Draft 2023.
Here’s the Rest of the Draft Picks in the Second Round:
No. 13 – Kemark Carino by Terrafirma
No. 14 – Bryan Santos by Converge
No. 15 – Henry Galinato by Rain or Shine
No. 16 – Raffy Verano by Phoenix
No. 17 – Ricci Rivero by Phoenix
No. 18 – Enoch Valdez by NLEX
No. 19 – JL Delos Santos by Converge
No. 20 – James Kwekuteye by Blackwater
No. 21 – Jhan Nermal – NLEX
No. 22 – Louie Sangalang – Terrafirma
No. 23 – Ralph Cu – Ginebra
No. 24 – Adrian Nocum – Rain or Shine
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