The PBA draft combine is an annual two-day event before the PBA draft. At the combine, rookie prospects undergo biometrics and perform various athletic tests and shooting drills. Then they are divided into teams and play 5-on-5 against each other in a mini-tournament. At the end of the tournament, an MVP and the Mythical Five are named.[1] Beginning in the Season 47 draft, rookies are also oriented on the Uniform Players Contract (UPC) during the combine.[2] An athlete's performance during the combine can affect perception, draft status, and ultimately the player's career.[3]
The athletic tests include both standing and running vertical jumps, three-quarter-court sprint time, reaction time, and lane agility time.[4] Previously, other physical tests included bench presses, push ups, sit ups, and pull ups.[5] Physical measurements include height, weight, reach, and wingspan.[6]
Attendance is mandatory for all rookie prospects, with those who didn't attend removed from the list of eligible participants.[7] However, those who have played for the Philippine national team are no longer required to participate, with an example being Javi Gómez de Liaño in the Season 47 draft.[8] Players may be excused if they are in another country, are playing for another team at the moment, or are injured, provided they inform the league ahead of time.[9][10][8]
The league previously held a rookie camp.[11] From 2012 to 2013, no scrimmages were held as only biometrics were taken.[12] In 2014, it was rebranded as the PBA draft combine, with scrimmages held once again.[3] In 2021, the draft combine was cancelled due to COVID-19 safety reasons.[13] It was brought back a year later.[14]
