BANGKOK (Thailand) - Chanatip Jakrawan couldn't help but smile realizing how far he's come since competing in the Basketball Champions League Asia (BCL Asia) for the first time some seven years ago.
Then fresh off the blocks from a FIBA U18 Asia Cup stint with Thailand, he was among those who did not get much playing time and had to watch his more experienced teammates in Hi-Tech Basketball Club take the floor.
"I’ve grown a lot," put modestly by 'Ohm,' who played three games in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2019. "Back then, I was just a young player. I was just one of those players in the eighth, ninth, 10th spot in the rotation."
Fast forward to now and he's still wearing the same old blue-and-white Hi-Tech threads, but now touted as one of the best players that the country has ever produced - something that he himself could hardly believe.
Although this trajectory didn't happen by chance whatsoever. The 2.03 M (6'8") sure did pay his dues, thus allowing him to emerge as a centerpiece not only of his mother club , but of the senior national team as well.
"As I kept getting more opportunities, before I knew it I had become a starter. It made me realize that I’ve already come a long way, and that my game has improved without me even noticing it," the 29-year-old said.
The reps have indeed helped him grow into the athlete that he is today and among those were the various competitions that Hi-Tech have been taking part in, particularly events within the BCL Asia ecosystem.
"Representing the country and playing in this competition makes me proud," he offered. "It’s a really good tournament, and Hi-Tech has had the chance to compete in it many times already."
Since 2024, they've been seeing action in the BCL Asia-East (the erstwhile BCL Asia Qualifiers), and the ongoing 2026 competitions are becoming his best stretch to date, based on the numbers he's producing.
Experiences like this have helped take my game to another level, because playing against international players pushes me to improve even more.
In the four games he played in the Group Phase, he averaged 10.5 points and 6.8 rebounds, helping his side clinch the no. 2 spot in Group A to advance to the Final 6 - that, after missing the Play-Offs last year.
He's never averaged in double figures in scoring in his past campaigns, including the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2019, and his output thus far is solid proof of how much he has developed his game over the years.
"Every time I step on the court in a tournament like this, I still get excited because you never really know if you’ll be able to do it at that level," reflected Jakrawan, who once played professionally in Chinese Taipei.
Well, there should be no doubt about his ability anymore, and all that is thanks to the exposure he's gotten - and will be getting in many more years to come, given how important he's become for his teams.
"Whenever I play in competitions like this, it feels completely different from playing in our local league because you’re going up against foreign teams and talented import players," he said.
"Experiences like this have helped take my game to another level, because playing against international players pushes me to improve even more," the many-time Southeast Asian Games silver medalist added.
And don't expect him to rest on his laurels anytime soon.
"I still think I can improve a lot more because right now, I don’t think I’m that good yet - I just happen to be tall. That’s the mindset I still keep with me," Jakrawan said, choosing to keep his feet on the ground.
"I hope I can show more of what I’m capable of."
FIBA