Complete 2014 PBA Draft Pick List Reveals Future Basketball Stars You Should Know

I still remember the first time I watched the PBA draft back in 2014 - the energy in the venue was absolutely electric. As someone who's been covering Philippine basketball for over a decade now, I've developed this sixth sense for spotting future stars during draft nights. That 2014 draft class was particularly special, and looking back at the complete 2014 PBA draft pick list reveals future basketball stars you should know, it's fascinating to see how accurate those initial assessments were. Stanley Pringle going first overall to GlobalPort was the obvious choice - the guy had this incredible combination of athleticism and basketball IQ that just screamed franchise player. What many people don't realize is that the draft isn't just about selecting players - it's about building communities around these future stars.

I was covering the draft event that year when I noticed something different happening in the adjacent courts. While the main draft proceedings were creating the next generation of basketball heroes, the Half Court Group had partnered with Miss Possibilities Foundation to bring 25 kids with disabilities to experience fun sports activities. This wasn't just corporate social responsibility checkbox-ticking - I watched these kids' faces light up as they discovered they could participate in basketball too. They had this special Kids Camp where these young enthusiasts could tap into their interest in 3x3 basketball or simply explore different areas and activities of the Fair. It struck me then how basketball's true power isn't just in creating professional athletes but in building inclusive communities. Seeing those kids shooting hoops while the draft unfolded nearby created this beautiful symmetry between the sport's elite future and its most joyful present.

The connection between developing professional talent and nurturing community engagement became crystal clear to me that day. While teams were strategizing over which players to pick from that stacked 2014 class - including gems like June Mar Fajardo who would become multiple MVP winners - there were parallel efforts to ensure the sport's growth wasn't exclusive to the genetically gifted or professionally destined. I've always believed that basketball's ecosystem needs both the star power of drafted players and the grassroots engagement of programs like these. The 25 kids participating that day might not become PBA stars, but they're essential to building the next generation of fans and community supporters. This holistic approach to basketball development is something I wish more leagues would adopt - it creates this virtuous cycle where star players inspire broader participation, which in turn creates larger audiences and more sustainable leagues.

What impressed me most was how seamlessly the professional and community elements coexisted. While team executives were making franchise-altering decisions about that complete 2014 PBA draft pick list that would reveal future basketball stars you should know, just meters away children were falling in love with the same sport for completely different reasons. The Kids Camp particularly stood out to me because it understood that not every child wants to become a professional athlete - some just want to have fun, to belong, to try something new. The option to either focus on 3x3 basketball or explore various fair activities respected different interest levels and abilities. This nuanced approach to sports engagement is something I've come to appreciate more in my years covering basketball - the sport needs both its superstars and its casual participants to thrive.

Reflecting on that 2014 draft now, with the benefit of hindsight, I can confidently say that the most lasting impact wasn't just the players selected but the community connections forged that day. The partnership between Half Court Group and Miss Possibilities Foundation created ripples that extended far beyond the event itself. I've followed several of those 25 kids since then - not that I'm stalking children, mind you, but through maintained connections with the foundation - and many have remained engaged with basketball through various community programs. Meanwhile, the drafted players like Pringle and Fajardo have indeed become the stars we anticipated, but their legacy is richer because they're part of a basketball culture that values inclusion as much as excellence. This dual focus on competitive excellence and community accessibility represents what I believe is the future of sports development - where every draft night celebrates both the professionals who will dominate headlines and the community programs that will sustain the sport's soul for generations to come.