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Stephen Holt Selected As Top Pick In PBA Rookie Draft
Photo credit: CSM Oradea
Stephen Holt has become the latest in a line of marquee Fil-foreign players to make waves in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). At the PBA Season 48 Draft Rites held at the Market! Market! Activity Center in Taguig, the 31-year-old guard from Saint Mary's College of California was announced as the top selection by the Terrafirma Dyip.
Holt, who boasts a professional basketball career spanning the United States, Europe, and Australia, followed in the footsteps of other notable foreign-born players who have been drafted first overall by Terrafirma, including CJ Perez (2018), Roosevelt Adams (2019), and Joshua Munzon (2021).
The 6-foot-4 guard, speaking via video interview from his home in Portland, Oregon, expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity. "I'm a two-way player, and I'm committed to playing both offensively and defensively. I'm known as a shooter, and I will try to make an impact," Holt said.
Playing in the PBA has long been a goal for Holt, and he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity that arose when he acquired a Philippine passport earlier this year.
The first round of the PBA Rookie Draft saw several other notable selections, including Blackwater picking Christian David at No. 2, Rain or Shine selecting Luis Villegas and Keith Datu Jr. at No. 3 and No. 4, NorthPort choosing Zavier Lucero at No. 5, Phoenix Super LPG drafting Ken Tuffin at No. 6, NLEX selecting Richard Thomas Rodger at No. 7, Meralco opting for Brandon Bates at No. 8, and Converge picking Schonny Winston at No. 9. BJ Andrade, a homegrown talent from Ateneo, was selected by Converge at No. 10.
NorthPort added Cade Flores of Arellano at No. 11, and Terrafirma concluded the first round by selecting Taylor Miller of Westminster University at No. 12. Notable surprises included Rodger at No. 7 and Miller at No. 12, showcasing the depth of talent in this year's draft.
Players like David, Villegas, Datu, Lucero, and Tuffin were anticipated to be high picks due to their impressive physical attributes, skillsets, and reputations.
"I'll do my best to perform well," remarked David, a Canadian-born 6-foot-6 player who made a name for himself at Butler University during his college basketball career.
Rain or Shine, in particular, stood out by acquiring a formidable Twin Tower pair with 6-foot-7 Villegas and 6-foot-8 Datu. NorthPort and Phoenix also added size to their rosters with the selections of Lucero and Tuffin, respectively.
As these talented rookies prepare to make their mark in the PBA, fans can look forward to an exciting Season 48 with Stephen Holt leading the way as the league's top overall pick.
Holt, who boasts a professional basketball career spanning the United States, Europe, and Australia, followed in the footsteps of other notable foreign-born players who have been drafted first overall by Terrafirma, including CJ Perez (2018), Roosevelt Adams (2019), and Joshua Munzon (2021).
The 6-foot-4 guard, speaking via video interview from his home in Portland, Oregon, expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity. "I'm a two-way player, and I'm committed to playing both offensively and defensively. I'm known as a shooter, and I will try to make an impact," Holt said.
Playing in the PBA has long been a goal for Holt, and he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity that arose when he acquired a Philippine passport earlier this year.
The first round of the PBA Rookie Draft saw several other notable selections, including Blackwater picking Christian David at No. 2, Rain or Shine selecting Luis Villegas and Keith Datu Jr. at No. 3 and No. 4, NorthPort choosing Zavier Lucero at No. 5, Phoenix Super LPG drafting Ken Tuffin at No. 6, NLEX selecting Richard Thomas Rodger at No. 7, Meralco opting for Brandon Bates at No. 8, and Converge picking Schonny Winston at No. 9. BJ Andrade, a homegrown talent from Ateneo, was selected by Converge at No. 10.
NorthPort added Cade Flores of Arellano at No. 11, and Terrafirma concluded the first round by selecting Taylor Miller of Westminster University at No. 12. Notable surprises included Rodger at No. 7 and Miller at No. 12, showcasing the depth of talent in this year's draft.
Players like David, Villegas, Datu, Lucero, and Tuffin were anticipated to be high picks due to their impressive physical attributes, skillsets, and reputations.
"I'll do my best to perform well," remarked David, a Canadian-born 6-foot-6 player who made a name for himself at Butler University during his college basketball career.
Rain or Shine, in particular, stood out by acquiring a formidable Twin Tower pair with 6-foot-7 Villegas and 6-foot-8 Datu. NorthPort and Phoenix also added size to their rosters with the selections of Lucero and Tuffin, respectively.
As these talented rookies prepare to make their mark in the PBA, fans can look forward to an exciting Season 48 with Stephen Holt leading the way as the league's top overall pick.
Sep 18, 2023
