After years of anticipation, Jason Brickman has finally declared for the PBA Draft. For basketball enthusiasts, this is awesome news. Brickman’s credentials are impeccable: a champion and an all-star in Thailand, Taiwan, and even in the Philippines as part of the ABL's San Miguel Alab Pilipinas. His resume screams elite playmaker, and his career numbers highlight his ability to control the game and make his teammates better.
Yet, Brickman’s decision to join the PBA comes at a complicated time.
In the PBA Draft, age DOES matter.
He is basically the PBA's version of The Boy Who Cried Wolf.
Ever since he helped the Westports Malaysia Dragons, alongside Matthew Wright, win an ABL championship in 2016, Filipino fans have been waiting for his PBA arrival.
That was almost a decade ago!
At 33 years old, Brickman will be one of the oldest rookies in recent memory. While his age is not necessarily a detriment to his skill set, it does raise questions about how long he can sustain his high level of play in a league as physically demanding as the PBA.
Moreover, Brickman’s history as a journeyman presents challenges. Having played for multiple teams across Asia, his reluctance to settle down could mirror the situations of players like Mikey Williams or Bobby Ray Parks. While Williams has delivered import-level performances, his ongoing contract standoff with TNT underscores the difficulties teams face when dealing with veteran rookies accustomed to higher salaries abroad. Similarly, Caelan Tiongson, another ABL veteran, took time to agree to a Rain or Shine contract, citing dissatisfaction with rookie pay scales.
Brickman’s case is further complicated by memories of Maurice Shaw, another older rookie whose PBA stint fell far short of expectations. While Shaw struggled to make an impact, Brickman’s unique skill set as a pass-first point guard and floor general might provide better odds of success. Also, the conditioning between the two is night and day. Still, PBA teams may wonder whether he’s worth the wait after years of teasing an appearance.
From a basketball perspective, any team would be fortunate to have Brickman. His court vision, high basketball IQ, and ability to elevate teammates are rare traits. But teams will have to weigh his potential contributions against the realities of PBA rookie contracts and his possible aversion to the league’s financial structures. Shaw and Parks were former second-overall picks. It's hard to imagine getting nothing from that spot.
As the PBA Draft approaches, Brickman’s name will undoubtedly spark debates. Is his arrival too little, too late? Or could his talent and experience prove to be the game-changer a franchise needs? For now, fans and teams alike will have to wait and see if Brickman can finally turn his immense promise into PBA success.
Get Sydrified.