JORDAN Bartlett made heads turn on Thursday when he made it to the Mythical Five of the PBA Draft Combine Season 49 scrimmages, joining big names such as consensus No. 1 pick Justine Baltazar.
It was quite a feat for Bartlett considering that his basketball career hit pause during the pandemic.
When Bartlett played for La Salle in 2019, he knew that his next stop was the PBA draft. That was until the pandemic hit and that season with the Green Archers turned out to be his last in the UAAP.
“A lot of stuff happened in the pandemic. I had to go home because everything was put on pause here in the UAAP for two years. I had to move on," said the 27-year old. "I stayed for years in the US, and I finally decided. I knew I would always gonna join the PBA draft. It was just a matter when I’ll enter my name.
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“Since I was little, I always had a love for basketball. It was my first love. Being a pro is always my goal and dream. It was just a matter of time,” he added.
The 5-foot-10 Bartlett put his basketball career in the backburner but didn't totally stayed away from the sport as he opened up a basketball gym in Alexandria, Virginia, a stone throw away from Washington DC.
Fortunately, business boomed and some of Bartlett’s clients were even a few members of the Washington Wizards. It was there where he gained a wealth of knowledge, especially on how NBA players approached the game from a training standpoint.
“I opened a basketball gym that I ran from 2020 to 2023. I had the pleasure of training with and for NBA players, pro players, coaches, and I got to learn a lot about the game of basketball from the skill side. I also stayed in incredible shape and learned a lot from the NBA’s approach to the game of basketball,” said Bartlett.
Bartlett trains with John Wall
Among the NBA players that Bartlett got the pleasure of training with was John Wall, who by 2020 was in his final year with the Wizards.
“All the knowledge I gained from that, business experience and even getting to train with international pros and NBA guys really helped me for my future career which I’m starting now,” said Bartlett.
After closing his basketball gym, Bartlett returned to the Philippines to finish his studies at La Salle, where his desire to turn pro was rekindled.
“While I was here for a few months, I got to watch a few of my former teammates. I got that hunger back to want to play. I went home that Christmas, decided I want to play basketball in the Philippines. I trained extremely hard and I think I’m ready to go now,” said Bartlett.
Bartlett hopes to follow Bates in the PBA
Another source of motivation for Bartlett is Brandon Bates, one of his former teammates at La Salle. Bates was a part of last year’s rookie batch who immediately won a championship with Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Bartlett finds inspiration from the story of Bates, who was already working as a barista in Sydney, Australia when he decided to give the pro league a shot.
Now he hopes to replicate it.
“That’s my best friend right there. I’m extremely proud of him," Bartlett said of Bates. "For a time, I don’t think it wasn’t his intention to play basketball here again. He really put his mind to it. He worked very hard, came back, battled through injuries and went from someone who was barely in the rotation in college to becoming a PBA champion as a starter.”
“His story is very inspiring to me. He is one of my best friends,” said Bartlett.
If given the chance, Bartlett hopes to display his commitment to defense, exactly what Bates became known for during the recent PBA finals.
“I’m a tenacious defender. I’m a guy that will pick up fullcourt. I’ve evolved my game to be able to shoot the ball at a high percentage. I can shoot off the dribble, pull-ups, I can shoot from the outside as well. Honestly, I can push the ball. I’ve become a great playmaker.
“Whatever my team needs, whatever my coaches need, I’m very coachable. I’m confident I can help any team that values me,” said Bartlett.
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