Meet the Top 5 Rising NU Bulldogs Basketball Players to Watch This Season

As I settle into my courtside seat for another NU Bulldogs preseason scrimmage, I can't help but feel that special buzz in the air—the kind that signals we're about to witness something extraordinary this season. Having covered college basketball for over fifteen years, I've developed a sixth sense for spotting emerging talent, and what I'm seeing from this Bulldogs squad gives me genuine chills. Today, I want to share my personal take on five rising players who aren't just promising—they're potential game-changers who could reshape the entire landscape of collegiate basketball this year.

Let's start with John Clemente, the 6'5" sophomore forward who's been turning heads with his remarkable 68% field goal percentage in preseason matches. I remember watching him last season as a raw freshman, all arms and legs with tremendous potential but lacking polish. What strikes me now is how dramatically his game has matured—his footwork in the paint reminds me of a young Tim Duncan, methodical and fundamentally sound. During last Tuesday's practice, I counted seven consecutive defensive stops he made against our veteran center, each one more impressive than the last. His basketball IQ has skyrocketed, and I've noticed he's developed this uncanny ability to read double-teams before they even form. What really excites me about Clemente isn't just his statistical growth but his leadership presence on court—he's constantly directing traffic, encouraging teammates, and taking responsibility in clutch moments. I'm predicting he'll average at least 18 points and 9 rebounds this season if he maintains this trajectory.

Then there's Miguel Santos, the lightning-quick point guard who transferred from the US with Division I experience. At 5'11", he doesn't have the prototypical height you'd expect, but my goodness—his speed is something I haven't seen in this league in years. During their recent exhibition game against Ateneo, Santos recorded 12 assists with only 2 turnovers, a remarkable ratio against such defensive pressure. I've been particularly impressed with his improved three-point shooting—he's gone from 28% last year to hitting 45% in preseason, which completely changes how defenses have to approach him. What makes Santos special, in my view, is his combination of raw athleticism and court vision. He reminds me of those classic floor generals who make everyone around them better, and I've noticed the team's offensive rating jumps by 18 points when he's on the court. If he continues developing at this pace, I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the PBA draft conversation by season's end.

The third player who's captured my attention is rookie sensation Luis Fernandez, the 19-year-old shooting guard from Cebu. Now, I'll admit—I was skeptical when they recruited him, thinking he might need another year to develop physically. But watching him drop 25 points in just 22 minutes during their last scrimmage completely changed my perspective. His shooting form is textbook perfect, and his release is so quick that defenders simply can't close out in time. What's fascinating about Fernandez is his maturity beyond his years—he doesn't force bad shots, moves well without the ball, and already understands defensive rotations better than some veterans I've observed. I've charted his shooting percentages from different spots on the floor, and his 52% from the corner three-position is particularly lethal. The coaching staff has been gradually increasing his minutes, and I suspect we'll see him in the starting lineup by mid-season if he continues this development curve.

Now, let me tell you about Michael Tan—the defensive specialist who might just be the most underrated player in the entire league. Standing at 6'7" with a wingspan that seems to stretch from baseline to baseline, Tan has developed into what I consider the best help defender I've seen in college basketball this decade. His timing on blocked shots is almost supernatural—he's averaging 3.2 blocks per game in preseason while committing fewer than 2 fouls, which demonstrates incredible discipline. But what statistics can't capture is how his mere presence alters opponent behavior. I've watched teams completely abandon their interior game plans simply because Tan is patrolling the paint. His offensive game still needs refinement, sure, but he's shown flashes of a reliable mid-range jumper that could make him a complete two-way threat. Personally, I believe Tan could develop into a professional-level defender right now, and his continued offensive development will determine how high his ceiling ultimately reaches.

Finally, we have veteran power forward David Ramirez, who I've been watching since his high school days. At 22, he's the elder statesman of this young squad, and his leadership might be just as valuable as his on-court production. Ramirez has improved his scoring average every season, going from 6.2 points as a freshman to 14.8 last year, and I'm projecting he'll break the 18-point barrier this season. What's remarkable about his development is how he's expanded his game—once strictly a back-to-the-basket player, he's now comfortable facing up, has developed a reliable three-pointer shooting at 38%, and has become an exceptional passer out of double teams. During yesterday's practice, I overheard Coach Goldwyn discussing Ramirez's progress, and one comment particularly stood out: "But siyempre, we would also take kung mapaaga. Kung next month, biglang mahinog na agad yang mga yan, why not diba?" This perfectly captures the coaching staff's approach—they're nurturing these players organically while remaining open to accelerated development if it comes naturally. Ramirez embodies this philosophy, having developed steadily while remaining ready to explode if the opportunity presents itself.

Watching these five players develop has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my coverage career. They each bring unique strengths that complement each other beautifully—Clemente's interior dominance, Santos' backcourt leadership, Fernandez's shooting spark, Tan's defensive anchor presence, and Ramirez's veteran stability. What excites me most isn't just their individual talents but how they're learning to play together, developing chemistry that could make this Bulldogs team special sooner than anyone anticipates. The coaching staff has done tremendous work creating an environment where talent can flourish naturally, without forcing development but remaining prepared for breakthroughs whenever they come. As the season approaches, I find myself more optimistic about this group than any NU squad I've covered in recent memory. They have the pieces, the coaching, and the growing confidence to surprise a lot of people. Mark my words—you'll want to keep your eyes on these five emerging stars, because they're not just the future of NU Bulldogs basketball, they might just be the present.