Misplaced Pages

2021 WNBL–Philippines draft
General information
Sport	Basketball
Date(s)	February 13, 2021
Sponsored by	Chooks-to-Go
Overview
39 total selections in 12 rounds
League	Women's National Basketball League–Philippines
Teams	4
First selection	Fille Claudine Cainglet (Glutagence)
Most selections (12)	Glutagence Glow Boosters
Fewest selections (8)	Parañaque Lady Aces
2022 →

The 2021 WNBL–Philippines draft was the league's draft for the 2021 WNBL–Philippines season which is also the first season of the WNBL as a professional league. It is the first ever draft of the league. Delayed by restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the draft was held on February 13, 2021.

Fille Claudine Cainglet by the Glutagence Glow Boosters was the first overall pick of the draft.

Combine

The draft combine was held from December 12 to 13, 2020 at the Victoria Sports Tower in Quezon City with 148 participants. It was earlier supposed to be held from October 12 to 16 in Pampanga under a "bubble" setup as part of precautionary measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Draft lottery

The draft lottery was scheduled be held on October 18, 2020. However the draft lottery was delayed and was held on February 7, 2021 as an online event. The draft order per team varied depending on various factors including the number of "protected" players per team. The Glutagence Glow Boosters made the first pick for the first round since they had the fewest protected players at three, all of which took part in the inaugural 2019 WNBL season. Not all teams got to make their pick in every round and the completion of documentary requirements influenced the draft order for a certain round. Two teams would potentially join the league between the draft lottery and the draft proper, and their draft order would likewise be influenced by the number of their protected players. However these teams, later announced to be the Taguig Lady Generals and Zele Wellness Center, were not able to join in time for the draft.

Eligibility

Entrants had to apply in order to be eligible for the draft. Initially the WNBL set September 30 as the deadline for prospect players to apply for the draft but the league moved the deadline earlier to September 22 due to the sheer number of applicants. At least 683 players applied for the draft.

The eligibility criteria were as follows:

• Be 21 to 40 years of age
• Be Filipino and born in the Philippines

Prior to the 2021 season, players of the WNBL had to be 18 to 35 years old. The age requirement was changed to allow older players to play in the league. The age eligibility for prospects above age 40 may be waived if they are deemed competitive enough to play. The league is open to "homegrown" Filipino players which meant players born anywhere in the Philippines and does not exclude players who lived abroad. Collegiate players are not prohibited from joining the draft but are encouraged to graduate first before entering future drafts to avoid complications with their mother collegiate leagues.

Players of the Philippine Navy Lady Sailors – Go For Gold were excluded from the draft since all of them are also enlisted military personnel. This would apply to a team of the Philippine Army had they also joined the 2021 season.

115 players were eligible for selection in the draft.

Protected players

Each team could classify up to seven players as "protected" which would allow them to directly hire a player into their lineup.

Players

By number of players

Draft selections

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

Round 8

Round 9

Round 10

Round 11

Round 12

Source: Tiebreaker Times/NBL-Philippines

References

1. ^ "WNBL closes draft application early as 683 and counting apply". Tiebreaker Times. September 21, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
2. ^ From the wires (30 January 2021). "WNBL Draft set to be held virtually on February 7". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
3. "Doctor gets picked first overall in WNBL draft while in OR". ESPN.com. 14 February 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
4. "Victoria Sports to host first WNBL combine as 148 players expected". Tiebreaker Times. December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
5. ^ Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (7 February 2021). "Glutagence Glow Boosters take top pick in WNBL Draft". Dugout Philippines. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
6. "Taguig joins WNBL, invites free agents to try out". ABS-CBN News. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
7. Terrado, Reuben (25 February 2021). "Taguig, Zele Wellness Center entries bring WNBL teams to 7". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
8. ^ Villanueva, Eros (September 8, 2020). "WNBL attracts over 300 players for October draft". ESPN (in English and Filipino). Retrieved September 23, 2020.
9. Naredo, Camille (September 7, 2020). "Applications now open for WNBL Draft". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
10. "WNBL sets up unique draft ahead of first season as pro league". ABS-CBN News. 8 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
11. Li, Matthew (13 February 2021). "Allana Lim, Clare Castro headline Paranaque Lady Aces protect list". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
12. 2021 WNBL Draft. NBL-Philippines. February 13, 2021. Event occurs at 1:56:00-2:00:00. Retrieved February 14, 2021.

• Basketball drafts
• 2020–21 in Philippine basketball leagues
• Sports events postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Women's National Basketball League (Philippines)
• February 2021 sports events in Oceania