The 'Small Power Forward'
Oct 14, 2026
As we continue to fantasize about building twin towers for our national team, successful teams in the NBA are redefining positions to fit the modern game. The Golden State Warriors redefined the game in 2015 and made it a shooting league, and the paradigm of the typical starting five has changed drastically.
Height Not Might?
The adage of “height is might” has been floated since basketball began. After all, it is clearly a vertical sport with a 10-foot rim. Being tall allowed one to reach the goal quicker and easier. Thus, the early dominant players in the sport were centers, and the best example is George Mikan of the Minneapolis Lakers.
After Mikan, new generations of big men emerged like the rivalry of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. The 1980s saw Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, and David Robinson. Up until the 1990s, being tall pretty much guaranteed a ticket to the NBA.
Nowadays, being tall is no longer much of an advantage, and it’s not just in the NBA. As seen in the recent Asian games, the tallest team (China) got walloped by Akatsuki Japan, a team well-entrenched in the modern style of play.
Skillset Over Positional Size
It’s ironic to brush off height these days now that Victor Wembanyama has become a dominant force. Having a unicorn type center still matters, and more Wemby-types are on the way. Teams still need a center, but the traditional frontcourt mate has evolved.
In the recent NBA Finals, the starting power forwards were OG Anunoby and Julian Champagnie. Both were 6’7, and were more attuned as small forwards rather than the traditional power forward. LeBron James, Pascal Siakam, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant were former All-Stars as small forwards.
That doesn’t mean there is no more space for tall power forwards. Chet Holmgren is the power forward in the OKC Thunder’s twin tower starting combo. But Holmgren is the modern big–mobile, with three-point shooting range and able to play facing the basket.
The game has changed and there are less post-up plays and more three-point shots. That results in long rebounds and more fastbreak attempts. Even tall players need to be quick and run back on defense.
It can be recalled that Anthony Davis famously complained about being played as a center, and demanded a trade. He can’t avoid that now, as it would be considered a waste of a position to place him with a big bruiser. Fortunately, young starter Alex Sarr has European-developed skills.
Athleticism, lateral quickness, and strength override height. For the international game, that’s what Gilas should look for, more than seeking someone who’s simply 6’10. Younger players with those skills like Scottie Barnes and Jalen Johnson started as small forwards, but are now converted. For Gilas, players like Carl Tamayo and Zavier Lucero could play that role.
PBA Draft 2027 Prospects
The PBA Draft 2027 is a couple of months away, and it has a deep bag of talent including two graduating seasons of the UAAP.
Here is a list of the realistic prospects which PBA teams could choose from. This is by no means final since the deadline to declare is still far off. FIl-foreign players who are not FIBA eligible like Kymani Ladi are here since they also would not qualify for the B.League or KBL. Mike Phillips, who is already in the B.League, is not listed anymore.
Some of the local prospects here could get their aspired call-up as Asian imports (Mason Amos is rumored), while other names like Remy Martin, Kihei Clark, and Kamaka Hepa are still longshots at this time.
Bigs
Kymani Ladi, Raven Gonzales, Mason Amos, Allen Liwag, Gani Stevens, Sean Alter, Ced Manzano, PJ Palacielo, EJ Kapihe, Tucker Molina, Drex delos Reyes, Kenshin Padrones, Drew Jimenez
Wings
Nic Cabanero, Jake Figueroa, DJ Fenner, Landyn Jumawan, Travis Roberts, Patrick Sleat, Jomel Puno, Cholo Anonuevo, Chris Hubilla, Justine Sanchez, Landyn Jumawan, Shawn Tuano, Paul Francisco, RC Calimag, Dominic Escobar, Jolo Manansala, Earl Abadam, Josh Barcelona
Point Guards
Harold Alarcon, Forthsky Padrigao, Terrence Fortea, Jacob Cortez, Rey Remogat, JD Cagulangan, Rey Torres, Matt Montebon, Kean Baclaan, Reinhard Jumamoy, John Abate, JC Macalalag, Donovan Sevilla
