The PBA Season 50 Draft is set. 

A total of 128 players officially applied for the draft, which takes place on September 7 and among the long list of hopefuls, guard Jason Brickman stands out as one of this year’s headline prospects.

Brickman has been on Filipinos’ radar since his time in the U.S. NCAA Division 1 playing for Long Island where he built a reputation as a pass-first point guard. In his senior season, he was one of the finalists for the Bob Cousy Award which is an honor given by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to the best collegiate point guard of the year.

After college, the Filipino-American guard played around the world before returning to his mother’s homeland, the Philippines. He is undoubtedly the most experienced player in this draft class—not just by age, but by resume too. He has played in Russia, Germany, Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan, winning several championships along the way.

Now, he is finally set to join the PBA after a four-year delay. He was unable to submit all of the necessary documents in time to join the 2021 PBA Draft, leading him to continue seeking opportunities abroad as he completed his requirements.

He has already acquainted himself with the local brand of basketball though, as he has played for San Miguel Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League, the Abra Weavers in the MPBL, and most recently Strong Group Athletics in the William Jones Cup.

If not for his age, Brickman would have likely been considered a shoo-in to be picked first overall in this year’s draft. A point guard with his playmaking skills has the ability to elevate a good team into a great one. Instead, he is likely to be picked behind 25-year-old Juan Gomez de Liano and 26-year-old Will Gozum as the third overall pick by the Blackwater Bossing.

With Blackwater, he should step in immediately as the team’s starting point guard. He could soon be elevated to one of the three MVP Group teams like many successful members of the Bossing who came before him. Among the three official MVP teams, the TNT Tropang 5G and the Meralco Bolts could use some help in the backcourt given their overall lack of depth.

Brickman’s road to the PBA has been a long and winding one indeed. As he enters the PBA Draft, he is expected to make an immediate impact as he has logged miles both overseas and around the local circuit for over a decade. Given his overseas experience, he should settle in quickly in the PBA and it should only be a matter of time before he finds himself running the offense of a contender.