CJ Perez played for San Sebastian College – Recoletos Stags, Ateneo De Manila Blue Eagles and Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates.[3]
In his final college season, he averaged a league-best 19.3 points per game, while grabbing 6.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists while leading the Pirates to an 18-game sweep of the eliminations, where they were eventually beaten by San Beda in the Finals.[4] He also could have been on the NCAA Mythical Team that year if not for a suspension.[5]
Professional career
PBA D-League
Perez played for Zark's Burger-Lyceum, which was composed of the core of the Pirates that won 18 straight games in the NCAA Season 93 tournament before losing in the Finals to the San Beda Red Lions. He led Zark's Burger-Lyceum to the Finals averaging 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.9 steals to the championship round. He was named as the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Conference Most Valuable Player.[6]
On December 16, 2018, Perez was selected first overall by the Columbian Dyip in the 2018 PBA draft. In his first career game, he scored 26 points in a win against the San Miguel Beermen.[7] Three games later, he was unanimously awarded the first-ever PBA Press Corps Rookie of the Month for January.[8] For the month of February, Perez was second in voting for Rookie of the Month, losing the award to Javee Mocon.[9] During All-Star Weekend, he participated in the Rookies/Sophomores vs. Juniors game (winning MVP),[10] the slam dunk contest,[11] and the All-Star 3x3.[12] His team did not qualify for the playoffs for the Philippine Cup, finishing with a 4–7 record.[13] In the Commissioner's Cup, Perez exploded for a career-high 39 points in a 120–105 win against the NLEX Road Warriors.[14] He ended the 2019 season with the Rookie of the Year award, a First Mythical Team selection (the first rookie since Calvin Abueva in 2013), and was on the All-Defensive Team (the first rookie since Ryan Reyes in 2008.)[15] He also led the league in scoring with 20.8 points, the first rookie since Eric Menk to do so, back in 1999.[16] His 20.8 points a game is also the third-highest among the highest scoring averages for a rookie in the PBA.[17]
In his final season with Terrafirma, he averaged 24.4 points a game, leading the league in scoring.[18]
In 2019, Perez was one of the youngest members of the Gilas team that played in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.[23] His averages of 12.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists and fearless brand of basketball was a silver lining in a campaign that saw the Philippines finish dead last in the World Cup.[24] He was named to the Gilas 3x3 team for the SEA Games, along with Chris Newsome, Jason Perkins, and Moala Tautuaa.[25] That team went on to sweep their competition in eight games, winning the gold medal[26]
In 2020, Perez was among the 12 chosen for the Asia Cup qualifiers against Indonesia.[27] He had 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals in that game that they won, 100–70.[28] Perez was also named to the FIBA 3x3 OQT lineup, along with SEA Games teammate Moala Tautuaa, Joshua Munzon, and Alvin Pasaol.[29] They finished in last place in that tournament.[30]
Perez was included in the 21-man pool for the 2023 FIBA World Cup,[31] where he was eventually included in the final 12-man lineup.[32]
Player profile
Perez's game has been primarily influenced by Calvin Abueva, to the point where he notes Abueva as his favorite player at the game. His rebounding and aggressiveness has been compared positively to Calvin Abueva's college years at San Sebastian College – Recoletos.
