2024 PBA Draft-bound RJ Abarrientos with Strong Group Athletics-Philippines. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.MANILA — The 2024 PBA Rookie Draft just keeps on getting deeper and deeper.

Former Far Eastern University star RJ Abarrientos will be among the hopefuls who are looking to get their names called on July 14, his agent Edgar Mangahas of EM Sports Management confirmed to ABS-CBN News.

READ: Balti, Lastimosa, Cansino, Policarpio, Nelle headline stacked 2024 PBA Draft Pool

“Yes. He's joining the draft,” Mangahas said in a message.

The former Gilas Pilipinas guard previously played professionally in the Korean Basketball League and won the Rookie of the Year Award during his stint with Ulsan Mobis, after putting up 13.3 points on top of 4.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 steals.

The 24-year-old then went on to transfer to the Japan B.League with the Shinshu Brave Warriors, but was eventually released after the squad’s relegation to the league’s Division 2.

Abarrientos, who posted 7.8 markers, 2.4 dimes, and 1.7 boards in 49 appearances in Japan, has now opted to return to the country to reunite with his family after being away for two years.

2024 PBA Draft-bound RJ Abarrientos with Strong Group Athletics-Philippines. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.

“Nag-end na contract niya sa Japan, and he wants to stay here na with his family. Almost two years na din siya wala sa Pinas. He wants to try PBA naman,” said Mangahas of the 5-foot-11 young star.

Abarrientos is among the top prospects of the already deep 2024 Draft Class which is also set to feature the likes of Justine Baltazar, Jerom Lastimosa, CJ Cansino, Dave Ildefonso, and Even Nelle.

READ: Caelan Tiongson on finally joining the PBA Draft: ‘It was just that time’
READ: Dave Ildefonso set to join 2024 PBA Rookie Draft

The PBA Draft is scheduled on July 14 at Glorietta in Makati. 

In the meantime, he will be playing first with Strong Group Athletics in next week’s 43rd William Jones Cup in Taiwan.