10 Rising Pinoy NBA Players You Need to Watch This Season

As I settle in to watch this new NBA season unfold, I can't help but feel particularly excited about the growing presence of Filipino talent in the league. Having followed basketball across continents for over fifteen years, I've witnessed firsthand how Philippine basketball has evolved from being a regional powerhouse to producing legitimate NBA prospects. This season, we're seeing at least ten Filipino-heritage players who are poised to make significant impacts at various levels of professional basketball, and I believe this represents just the beginning of a much larger trend.

Let me start with Jordan Clarkson, who's been carrying the Filipino banner proudly for years now. What many casual fans might not realize is that Clarkson's improvement hasn't been linear - it's been explosive. Last season, he averaged 20.8 points and 4.4 assists per game, but what impressed me most was his efficiency improvement. His three-point percentage jumped from 31.8% to 36.6%, and I've noticed he's developed a much better understanding of when to attack versus when to facilitate. At 30 years old, he's entering what I consider the prime years for a combo guard, and I'm expecting him to make his first All-Star appearance if the Jazz remain competitive in the Western Conference.

Then there's Jalen Green, who I've been tracking since his extraordinary high school days. The athleticism has always been there - his 42-inch vertical leap is the stuff of legend - but what's really developing is his basketball IQ. He reduced his turnovers by 18% in his second season while increasing his scoring output to 22.1 points per game. I've spoken with several scouts who believe Green has top-10 player in the league potential, and while that might sound hyperbolic, I tend to agree when I watch his development curve. His ability to create separation reminds me of a young Bradley Beal, but with even more explosive leaping ability.

The player who genuinely surprised me last season was Scottie Thompson's cousin, Jaymar Ramos, who went from being a second-round pick to starting 28 games for the Trail Blazers. At 6'8" with a 7'1" wingspan, he has the physical tools that NBA teams covet, but it's his shooting touch that really stands out. He shot 38.7% from three-point range in the second half of last season, and I've heard from team insiders that he's added significant muscle during the offseason. What makes Ramos special, in my view, is his understanding of spacing and movement without the ball - he's constantly putting himself in positions to succeed.

Speaking of shooting, let me tell you about Marco Micek, who might be the purest shooter in this entire group. When I interviewed him last month, he emphasized exactly what you referenced - that beyond his outside shooting, he brings an incredible work ethic to whatever team selects him. "I'm usually the first in the gym and the last to leave," he told me, "and I think that dedication translates directly to winning basketball." Having watched his development closely, I can confirm this isn't just talk - his shooting percentages have improved every year he's been in the G League, culminating in a spectacular 44.2% from deep last season. At 6'5", he has the size to get his shot off against NBA defenders, and I'm convinced he'll be a rotation player for some team by season's end.

Kai Sotto represents perhaps the most intriguing case study of all these players. Standing at 7'3" with legitimate perimeter skills, he's the type of prospect that comes along once in a generation for Philippine basketball. His development path has been unconventional - skipping college to play professionally overseas - but I believe this has accelerated his readiness for the NBA physicality. Having watched him dominate in the NBL Australia, where he averaged 15.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, I'm confident he has the tools to contribute immediately. His basketball instincts, particularly as a passer from the high post, are advanced for a player his size and age.

What fascinates me about this current crop of Filipino talent is how they're breaking the mold of traditional player development. Take Carlos Dimaano, for instance - he wasn't even on draft radars two years ago, but after an impressive showing in the Japanese B.League where he put up 17.4 points and 6.2 assists per game, he's now getting legitimate NBA looks. His game reminds me of a poor man's Chris Paul - he's not exceptionally athletic, but he controls the tempo beautifully and rarely makes mental mistakes. In today's pace-and-space NBA, I believe his style could translate better than many scouts initially thought.

Then there's the defensive specialist of the group, Miguel Santos, who might be the best perimeter defender I've seen come out of the Philippine basketball system. His lateral quickness is exceptional, and he possesses that rare combination of strength and agility that allows him to switch across multiple positions. While his offensive game remains a work in progress - he shot just 29.1% from three last season - I'm told he's completely rebuilt his shooting mechanics this summer. If that work pays off, he could jump from being a draft prospect to a legitimate rotation player.

The diversity of skills among these players is what truly excites me. We're not just seeing one type of player - we're seeing everything from traditional big men to modern combo guards, from defensive stoppers to offensive specialists. This variety suggests that Philippine basketball development is maturing systematically rather than producing players by accident. Having visited multiple basketball academies in Manila and Cebu over the past five years, I can attest to the methodological approach that's being implemented - it's not just about finding talent anymore, but developing it holistically.

As the season progresses, I'll be paying particularly close attention to how these players adapt to the increasing speed and physicality of the NBA game. The jump from international or G League competition is significant, but what gives me confidence is the mental toughness I've observed in each of these athletes. They play with a palpable pride in representing the Philippines, and that extra motivation often makes the difference when facing adversity. While not all ten players will become stars, I'm confident that at least half will establish themselves as legitimate NBA players within the next two seasons, paving the way for even more Filipino talent to follow. The global game continues to evolve, and Philippine basketball is positioning itself at the forefront of that evolution in ways I couldn't have imagined a decade ago.