25-yr-old basketball player from Baguio selected in PBA Rookie Draft

Baguio City, Philippines - Another basketball player from Baguio City has entered the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

25-year-old Claude Leymark Magno Camit was selected as the 67th overall pick by Terrafirma Dyip during the 8th round of the PBA draft held on September 7 at the Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.

Who is Camit? 

Camit has built an impressive resume in both local and international competitions with his dribbling, shooting, and defense skills before officially being drafted in the PBA .

During his younger years, he played for Baguio Basketball team in the Palarong Pambansa and was once a standout varsity player for the University of Baguio Cardinals. 

Previously, he competed in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), where he played for the Mindoro Tamarraws; competed in the Vietnam Basketball League, where he was hailed as the Most Valuable Player (MVP); and became a champion in the Dubai International Cup and the Sibugay Cup as a player of the Zamboanga Valientes. 

Prior to entering the PBA draft, the 5-foot-10 guard was one of the 126 applicants who showcased their skills in drills and workouts during the PBA Draft Combine.  

The annual two-day event before the PBA draft is where applicants are measured and undergo medical tests, get interviewed, perform various athletic tests and shooting drills, and play in five-on-five drills for an audience of coaches, general managers, and scouts. 

In his interview with a local media outlet, the 25-year-old described the PBA Draft Combine as fair and competitive, saying that local players like him can compete in it.  

“...wala po akong masabi kasi ano fair lang po. Doon pa natin makikita na kaya po nating ( local atletes) makipagsabayan,” he said, while urging his fellow local basketball players to leave their comfort zones and grab bigger opportunities.  

With his selection in the PBA draft on September 7, Camit becomes the second basketball player from Baguio to enter the country's biggest basketball league. 

Based on gathered information, the first one was Benedict Tisbe Fernandez III, who was drafted 12th overall in 2009 by the Barako Bull Energy Boosters.