CJ Payawal
| No. 50 – TNT Tropang 5G | |
|---|---|
| Position | Small forward / power forward |
| League | PBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | June 2, 1997 Gurnee, Illinois |
| Nationality | Filipino / American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Warren |
| College | Des Moines Area CC (2015–2017) Illinois–Springfield (2017–2019) St. Xavier (2019–2020) UE (2020–2023) |
| PBA draft | 2024: 3rd round, 28th overall pick |
| Selected by the Phoenix Fuel Masters | |
| Playing career | 2024–present |
| Career history | |
| 2024 | Valenzuela Classic |
| 2024–present | TNT Tropang Giga/5G |
| Career highlights | |
Calvin Justus Payawal (born June 2, 1997) is a Filipino-American professional basketball player for the TNT Tropang 5G of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Born in Gurnee, Illinois, Payawal played for four different schools throughout his college career, beginning at Des Moines Area Community College and culminating at the University of the East.
Payawal made his professional debut in 2024 when he joined the Valenzuela Classic of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) before getting drafted by the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the PBA season 49 draft. However, he didn't suit up for Phoenix, instead signing a deal with the TNT Tropang Giga.
College career
Payawal began his college career with the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Bears in 2015 as a redshirt, where he played for two seasons before transferring to the University of Illinois Springfield in 2017, playing for the Prairie Stars for another two seasons. For his senior year in 2019, he played for the St. Xavier Cougars.[1]
In 2020, Payawal joined the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors after he was recruited by coach Jack Santiago.[1][2] He played his one-and-done year with UE in UAAP Season 85 in 2022.[3]
Professional career
Valenzuela Classic (2024)
In 2024, Payawal entered the professional ranks in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League with the Valenzuela Classic.[3] In his 18 games with the team, he averaged 10.9 points and 6.1 rebounds while also shooting .486 from the field.[4]
TNT Tropang Giga/5G (2024–present)
On July 14, 2024, during the PBA season 49 draft, Payawal was drafted by the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the third round with the 28th pick. However, he ended up getting released by Phoenix and, on July 19, suited up for a tryout with the TNT Tropang Giga.[4] On July 29, he signed a one-year deal with TNT.[5]
Career statistics
PBA
| Legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Games played | MPG | Minutes per game | FG% | Field-goal percentage |
| 3FG% | 3-point field-goal percentage | 4P% | 4-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
As of the end of 2024–25 season[6]
Season-by-season averages
| Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | 3P% | 4P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | TNT | 20 | 5.8 | .295 | .261 | .000 | .667 | 1.5 | .2 | .2 | .1 | 1.8 |
| Career | 20 | 5.8 | .295 | .261 | .000 | .667 | 1.5 | .2 | .2 | .1 | 1.8 | |
MPBL
| Legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Games played | MPG | Minutes per game | ||
| FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
As of the end of 2024 season
Season-by-season averages
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Valenzuela | 18 | 6 | 19.6 | .486 | .342 | .633 | 6.1 | 1.1 | .7 | .1 | 10.9 |
3x3 career
Following his single season with UE, Payawal joined the Manila Chooks 3x3 team, competing in various FIBA 3x3 competitions throughout 2023.[7][8]
External links
References
- ^ a b "UE continues to restock, adds Fil-Am winger CJ Payawal". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ Li, Matthew (2020-12-22). "One-and-dones will not be covered by UAAP's age extension". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ a b Bacnis, Justine (2024-07-13). "CJ Payawal feels PBA-ready thanks to Chooks 3x3, MPBL stints". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ a b Ganglani, Naveen (2024-07-19). "CJ Payawal released by Phoenix, trying out for TNT in Cebu". ALL-STAR. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
- ^ Sayson, Homer D. (2024-07-29). "TNT signs Phoenix draftee CJ Payawal, brings in Brown for tryout". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
- ^ "C.J. Payawal Player Profile - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com.
- ^ "Manila Chooks 3x3 starts year in Amsterdam tiff". RAPPLER. 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ^ Panerio, Jonas N. (2023-04-20). "Cebuanos Tallo, Desiderio team up for 3x3 bid in Ulaanbaatar Super Quest". SunStar Publishing Inc. Retrieved 2025-03-30.