In my previous piece, I wrote about the possibility of Mikey Williams being selected early in the PBA Draft once he complies with the requirements for Fil-Am players.
A few weeks before Draft Day, Williams’ saw his stocks increase, especially now that he has submitted all documents needed to make him eligible for the coming festivities to be held on March 14.
By Friday, the PBA will finalize the list of applicants qualified to join this year’s Rookie Draft, and Williams’ name is expected to be there.
A US NCAA Division I player, the 6’2” Williams has certainly become the best available guard in the list, especially with the eligibility of fellow Fil-Am Jason Brickman hanging in the balance. Brickman, along with former Alab Pilipinas teammates Brandon Rosser and Jeremiah Gray, will have to wait until March 5 to determine whether they’re eligible to join the draft or not.
Williams could be the latest NCAA Division 1 player to join the draft and if Rain or Shine, which will be selecting at No. 5, can get the chance of picking him up, he’ll be the third Division 1 local player to play for the Elasto Painters.
Gabe Norwood, who became an integral part of George Mason University’s Final Four run in 2006, was the first Division 1 player of the league, before Maverick Ahanmisi came in next when the former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher was selected as third overall pick in the 2015 Rookie Draft.
Williams could be a good fit for the Elasto Painters, especially now that the team is in need of a pure point guard. Only Norwood is considered as the player who has played comfortably at the point guard spot as other players like Rey Nambatac and Adrian Wong, the team’s other guards, are considered more as an off guard.
Mikey could immediately become the starting point guard of Rain or Shine, whose main problem now, of course, is that other teams might beat them to the draw, including the NLEX Road Warriors, who are also looking seriously at what this former Cal State Fullerton standout and former NBA D-League player can contribute to their team.
Although the Road Warriors have expressed their interest in getting a big man, a talent like Williams is hard to pass up. NLEX is picking twice in the first round — No. 3 and No. 4 — ahead of the Elasto Painters, who could be beaten to the draw.
But what about the other top two squads picking in the draft? Would they be interested in Williams?
If only CJ Perez is still still playing for the Dyip, then Williams, the same player who took the MPBL by storm, would be a good fit, and the reigning scoring champion’s production has to be covered up by a player coming from the draft — and Joshua Munzon is the most logical choice for them.
NorthPort had already signified its desire to take in Jamie Malonzo, the high-flying 6’6” forward, who had a one-and-done season playing for La Salle in 2019. He could easily complement Christian Standhardinger and Sean Anthony up front.
This leaves Williams a toss up between NLEX and Rain or Shine.
There are so many interesting things to expect in the coming draft, tipped as the deepest in years and at this point when there’s still uncertainty on the status of the Fil-foreign players, Williams has certainly upgraded his value.
And if these Fil-foreign players would be eligible, it’s going to be a lot easier for Rain or Shine to make its selection as it could wind up with either Williams or Brickman.
For now, Williams enjoys his boosted stock.
