Plans for 2021 Draft Combine Being Finalized

Before the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic hit, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) held its annual draft combine before the PBA Rookie Draft itself to give coaches and scouts an early look at the players they're planning to pick. In the past, the draft combine was held at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong City.

This year's Rookie Draft will be held virtually on March 14 and that, the PBA is already finalizing the details on how they will hold the draft combine while strictly implementing health and safety protocols.

According to PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, the league is in the process of choosing a local government unit (LGU) in Metro Manila that would host the draft combine and once they've chosen the LGU, the league will write a letter of content to that LGU. The league will also announce other details including the date of the combine this week.

This year's draft combine will;l be held in batches just like how PBA teams are holding training. There will also be no physical contact. 

Draft hopefuls will undergo various tests during the draft combine including the measurement and biometric test, vertical leap, maximum touch, lane agility, court sprint, and shuttle runs.

A total of 97 applicants made this year's draft pool although that number isn't final yet as the league will announce the final list days before the draft in March. 

Photo is from ESPN