Blazers star Will Gozum declares for PBA draft

CSB Blazers during a agame against the Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball Final Four.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Count Will Gozum in.

The former NCAA MVP has declared for the PBA Season 50 Draft next month, formally signaling his intent to join the rookie pool despite a rocky path since his collegiate peak.

“I’m excited for him,” said College of St. Benilde coach Charles Tiu, who molded Gozum into a dominant force in NCAA Season 98. “I still think he’s a first-round pick.”

“We’re going to have him work out with some teams,” he added.

Currently signed with the Quezon Huskers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, the 6-foot-4 bruiser is on a minutes cap, playing about 10 per game and averaging 5.3 points and 2.5 rebounds. It’s a far cry from his MVP season, but necessary, Tiu said, after Gozum suffered a torn ACL and MCL in an MPBL game last year.

That injury derailed Gozum’s original plan to join the 2024 PBA Draft. It took months of rehab to get back to full strength—a painful detour after a college finale that had already left him unsatisfied.

Hand injury

In 2022, Gozum averaged 16.9 points and 9.8 rebounds to win the NCAA Season 98 MVP and led the Blazers to their first Finals appearance since 2002. Though Benilde fell to Letran in a three-game series, Gozum’s breakout season established him as a legit big man prospect.

But pain came quickly after. A hand injury followed the Finals loss. Then, in his final NCAA season, he couldn’t replicate the magic. The Huskers gave him a lifeline—but it came with risk.

“He really planned to stay in the MPBL for a year anyway,” Tiu said. “Hopefully, he worked on the things we talked about—what he needed to improve.”

Now, the draft is finally within reach.

Gozum joins a growing list of Blazers eyeing the big league. Teammates Robi Nayve and Jake Gaspay are also expected to declare, according to Tiu.

The PBA Season 50 Draft is scheduled next month. INQ