Cole Micek is All In as He Enters the 2025 PBA Draft
From model and 3×3 globetrotter to PBA hopeful, he’s chasing the dream — and bringing the heat with him.
Cole Micek isn’t just entering the PBA Draft. He’s stepping into the league with the quiet fire of someone who’s been manifesting this moment since he was a kid.
“I can’t emphasize enough what a lifelong dream this has been for me,” he says during an exclusive interview with ALL-STAR. “I wrote it down on my list of goals as a kid. I remember following my kuya Alex Cabagnot’s journey… and wanting to follow in his footsteps.”
At 29, Micek is entering the Draft with more mileage — and more maturity — than the average rookie. He’s played college ball in the U.S., torn through the 3×3 circuit, gone pro in Asia, and moonlighted as a model and actor in LA. But none of that’s the headline now. This is his basketball moment. And he’s not holding back.
“Basketball is my first priority and my first love,” he says. “I have and will continue to put my all into this beautiful game.”
Global Game, Pinoy Heart
If there’s one thing Micek brings to the table that’s impossible to teach, it’s range — both literally (he’s a lights-out shooter) and experientially.
He’s played against former NBA pros like Jimmer Fredette and Ty Lawson, trained with the USA 3×3 national team, and ran with the Macau Black Bears under Coach Kelly and Kevin. From fives to threes, the intensity has never wavered.
“With 3×3, you have to have a really high basketball IQ,” he says. “You gotta move without the ball, guard every position, and build great team chemistry.”
That experience, plus his years in fast-paced Asian tournaments and U.S. college ball, has turned him into a better overall package: a sharpshooter with feel, court vision, and grit. Now he craves the platform to display his improvement.
“They’re getting a player with international experience who plays with intense passion… a lights-out shooter… a guy who plays his tail off on both ends of the floor,” he responds when asked what teams can expect from him on Day 1 in the pros.
But don’t mistake confidence for ego. Cole’s humility is a part of his DNA.
“Whether that’s starting and hitting the game-winning shot or being the team leader in high fives off the bench,” he says, “I pride myself on being a really good teammate and giving lots of encouragement and good energy.”
The Mindset Behind the Glow-Up
It’s easy to get distracted by the TikToks, the runway shots, and, some would even say, his cheekbones. But what powers Micek isn’t flash, but also focus.
He’s studies basketball coaching. He trains with his dad. His mom and Ate are his rock. And he speaks about them with the kind of reverence that makes you understand how important family is to him.
“My dad truly helped shape my game. He’s been my trainer since day one… My family has shaped my mindset.”
That blend of heart and hustle comes through in everything he does — whether it’s crafting a highlight reel or mentoring younger hoopers. When he talks about his journey, it’s clear that to him, this isn’t just a career; it’s a calling.
“My true focus is on the game and doing whatever it takes to help my team succeed,” he says. “I’ve been able to juggle a lot professionally over the years, but I know when it’s time to really lock in and focus on the main quest.”
On-Court Killer, Off-Court Charmer
If you know Cole Micek from TikTok, or from a campaign shoot, or that one video where he pulls off a fit like he’s walking a Paris runway — you’re not alone. His social media glow is real. But the PBA is about to see a different, more rough and tumble side.
“I’d like them to see my alter ego on the court,” he says. “What a fiery burning passion I have for this game. And I want them to see my joy and how peaceful I feel when I’m on the court doing what I love.”
Somewhere between Jared McCain’s charisma and Austin Reaves’ grit, Cole Micek lands squarely in his own lane — a Filipino-American baller with shotmaking prowess, movie-star looks, and a work ethic that, in his words, doesn’t quit.
And for those wondering — he’s repped by Anthony Brodett of Phenom Sports Management, who’s helping guide the next chapter of his career.
The Main Quest
Cole calls the PBA his “main quest” and you get the sense he doesn’t take those words lightly. There’s a groundedness to him, even with all the glitz. A kind of clarity that only comes from knowing exactly who you are and why you’re doing this.
“I’ve been playing hoops basically my entire life, but I feel like I’ve never gotten burnt out,” he says. “And I think it’s because I have those other passions. But basketball has always been the dream.”
That dream’s a few days away from possibly becoming reality.
And whether he’s draining threes or dropping dimes — or just flashing that Instagram-worthy grin — Cole Micek wants to show the Philippines’ basketball scene who he really is.
Spoiler: he’s not just the guy from your ‘For You’ page anymore.
