CJ Payawal

Last updated
Calvin Justus Payawal
No. 50TNT Tropang 5G
Position Small forward / power forward
League PBA
Personal information
Born (1997-06-02) June 2, 1997 (age 27)
Gurnee, Illinois
NationalityFilipino / American
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight185 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 career2024–present
Career history
2024 Valenzuela Classic
2024–present TNT Tropang Giga/5G
Career highlights and awards

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).

Contents

Born in Gurnee, Illinois, Payawal played for five 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) bedore 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]

3x3 career

Following his single season with UE, Payawal joined the Manila Chooks 3x3 team, competing in various FIBA 3x3 competitions throughout 2023. [6] [7]

Career statistics

MPBL

Legend
  GPGames played  GSGames started 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

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2024 Valenzuela 18619.6.486.342.6336.11.1.7.110.9

References

  1. 1 2 "UE continues to restock, adds Fil-Am winger CJ Payawal". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
  2. Li, Matthew (2020-12-22). "One-and-dones will not be covered by UAAP's age extension". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
  3. 1 2 Bacnis, Justine (2024-07-13). "CJ Payawal feels PBA-ready thanks to Chooks 3x3, MPBL stints". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
  4. 1 2 Ganglani, Naveen (2024-07-19). "CJ Payawal released by Phoenix, trying out for TNT in Cebu". ALL-STAR. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  5. Sayson, Homer D. (2024-07-29). "TNT signs Phoenix draftee CJ Payawal, brings in Brown for tryout". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  6. "Manila Chooks 3x3 starts year in Amsterdam tiff". RAPPLER. 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
  7. 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.