Paul Lee (basketball)

Early life and education

Paul John Lee was born on February 14, 1989, to Edwin Lee and Helen Dalistan. Due to his parents' being unmarried at the time of his birth, his legal surname at birth was his mother's maiden surname, Dalistan. His parents would get married on October of the following year.

Lee was born in Tondo, Manila, to a family of three children. While his paternal ancestors of Chinese roots had a history of being involved in the lumber industry since the 19th century, Lee's family did not inherit much wealth. Paul John's family lived as a lower middle class household, with his father working as a pedicab driver and his mother briefly working as a domestic worker in the Middle East. His family would avoid seeking financial assistance from their other relatives.

As a young teenager, Lee would already play basketball and join local competitions in Tondo.

Lee would attend high school at the San Sebastian College – Recoletos. He would move to the University of the East to pursue a college education under a full scholarship.

Amateur career

High school

When he was a high school freshman in San Sebastian College – Recoletos, he was discovered when he was playing in the school’s intramurals. The coach spotted him, made him try out and placed him in the lineup the following year. The San Sebastian Staglets would go on to win the NCAA Juniors Championship in his senior year.

College

After his high school career ended, Lee accounts that no university team gave him an invitation to play for their team. He would receive an endorsement from the father of his San Sebastian teammate Raphy Reyes to play for the University of the East.

In 2007, he was recruited by then coach Dindo Pumaren of the University of the East, which at that time had formidable backcourt players like Raphy Reyes, Paul Zamar, James Martinez and Marcy Arellano. His role during that time was with the second squad. He was known as the 6th man, the main replacement for then King Warrior Marcy Arellano. In 2009, his game flourished when Lawrence Chongson took over to coach the team. Chongson later became his adviser, and currently an agent, until his death in 2021.

He received the Most Improved Player award in UAAP Season 72. He then became a part of Mythical Team during the UAAP Season 73.

He also played for Cobra Energy Drink Iron Men in the Philippine Basketball League and later in the PBA Developmental League coached by Chongson.

In his last year in UE, he was playing with an injury, but he didn't want anybody to know about it.

Professional career

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (2011–2016)

He was picked 2nd overall by Rain or Shine during the 2011 PBA draft. In his PBA debut, Paul Lee recorded 17 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists in 25 minutes of playing time on a 107–100 win over the Alaska Aces. The following game, Paul Lee had another strong game having recorded 17 points and 5 rebounds in 30 minutes of playing time in a 100–94 win over the B-Meg Llamados. By the end of the 2011–12 PBA season, he was awarded Rookie of the Year, and won his first ever PBA championship with the Elasto Painters, though he did not play in the championship series due to injury.

In 2014, he requested the Rain or Shine management to trade him by personally calling up coach Yeng Guiao. However, Guiao and the Rain or Shine management are hell bent on keeping him at all cost. After Lee returned from Spain following his Gilas stint in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, he went to a sabbatical by not showing up to Rain or Shine practice or even talking to the media, creating speculations of him pushing through signing up with another team. A few days later, he finally showed up, and after a heart-to-heart talk with coach Yeng Guiao, he finally decided to stay with the Elasto Painters. On September 19, 2014, he, together with his agent Lawrence Chongson, signed a 2-year max deal to stay with Rain or Shine.

Star / Magnolia Hotshots (2016–present)

On October 13, 2016, Paul Lee was sent to Star Hotshots on a blockbuster trade in exchange for star shooting guard James Yap in one of the biggest deal in PBA history that led to shocking reactions from basketball fans.

PBA career statistics

As of the end of 2024–25 season

Season-by-season averages

|- | 46 || 27.5 || .465 || .344 || || .826 || 3.7 || 4.1 || .8 || .0 || 13.9 |- | 38 || 25.5 || .374 || .331 || || .717 || 4.2 || 3.6 || .8 || .1 || 11.6 |- | 61 || 25.8 || .403 || .362 || || .824 || 3.2 || 2.7 || .7 || .1 || 13.0 |- | 53 || 27.6 || .409 || .395 || || .843 || 4.5 || 3.3 || .8 || .0 || 15.6 |- | 35 || 21.2 || .418 || .319 || || .929 || 2.7 || 2.5 || .6 || || 10.3 |- | 51 || 29.8 || .387 || .331 || || .847 || 3.7 || 3.3 || .8 || .0 || 12.5 |- | 52 || 28.9 || .388 || .357 || || .833 || 3.9 || 3.3 || 1.1 || .1 || 15.3 |- | 53 || 27.7 || .396 || .335 || || .859 || 4.4 || 3.6 || .5 || .1 || 14.2 |- | 12 || 30.4 || .447 || .404 || || .889 || 4.0 || 3.3 || 1.1 || .1 || 19.7 |- | 41 || 29.5 || .356 || .298 || || .873 || 2.9 || 2.6 || .7 || .1 || 15.5 |- | 44 || 27.4 || .395 || .405 || || .902 || 3.1 || 2.4 || .5 || .1 || 14.8 |- | 34 || 27.8 || .374 || .345 || || .905 || 3.1 || 3.4 || .4 || .0 || 11.1 |- | 35 || 25.0 || .414 || .341 || .383 || .902 || 3.3 || 4.3 || .4 || || 11.1 |-class=sortbottom | 555 || 27.2 || .398 || .353 || .383 || .851 || 3.6 || 3.2 || .7 || .1 || 13.6

National team career

Lee was part of the Philippine national team debuting at the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup. Due to the circumstances of his birth, Lee competed as Paul John Dalistan, using his mother's maiden surname. He led the team to a bronze medal finish in the Asian tournament after converting three crucial free-throws with no time remaining against host China.

Lee also competed in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2014 Asian Games but injuries caused him to get sidelined the following year.

Personal life

Lee is married to Rubie Chua with whom he has a daughter.

References

References

1. (16 February 2024). "Paul Lee's Bittersweet 35th: Magnolia's title dreams crushed on his birthday". Tiebreaker Times.
2. (12 June 2014). "Why is Paul Lee wearing a jersey with 'Dalistan' at back in Gilas debut? His mom explains". Sports Interactive Network Philippines.
3. (29 July 2014). "A perfect shot for Paul Lee". The Philippine Star.
4. (27 July 2014). "Paul Lee, the amazing basketball dreamer from Tondo {{!}} Philstar.com". The Philippine Star.
5. (13 August 2020). "Paul Lee swears no college team tried to recruit him after high school". Sports Interactive Network Philippines.
6. Gonzales, Mav C.. (September 30, 2011). "PBA Rookies: When no one wanted Paul Lee". [[GMA News and Public Affairs]].
7. (September 21, 2010). "UE Red Warriors' Quarterback Paul Lee is part of UAAP Season 73 Mythical Five – Tira UE Blog for Victory!".
8. Badua, Snow. (August 22, 2014). "Paul Lee wants out of Rain or Shine, expresses desire to be traded, says adviser". Spin.ph.
9. (December 27, 2021). "Former players pay tribute to late basketball coach Lawrence Chongson".
10. (2021-12-26). "Former UE Red Warriors coach Lawrence Chongson dies".
11. (October 3, 2009). "Elmer Espiritu and Paul Lee recipients of UAAP season 72 special awards".
12. Ramos, Nikko. (August 2, 2012). "The Truth About Paul Lee's Last Year in UE".
13. "Casio first, Lee second in 2011 PBA draft". InterAksyon.com.
14. (May 20, 2012). "Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 107 Alaska Aces 100".
15. Joble, Rey. (November 29, 2015). "'Ang ganda ng samahan natin': Yeng Guiao surprised by Paul Lee's decision to ask Rain or Shine for trade". InterAksyon.com.
16. Dy, Richard. (September 16, 2014). "Yeng Guiao says Paul Lee ready to sign new deal with Rain or Shine after heart-to-heart talk". Spin.ph.
17. Badua, Snow. (September 20, 2014). "Paul Lee, Rain or Shine bury the hatchet as star guard ready to give his best for team, says agent Lawrence Chongson". Spin.ph.
18. {{usurped
19. "Paul Lee Dalistan Player Profile, Magnolia Hotshots - RealGM".
20. (12 July 2014). "Paul Lee shines in Gilas debut, leads PH over Taipei". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
21. Quiteles, Rodneil. (July 19, 2014). "Lee free throws give Gilas bronze in FIBA Asia Cup". [[Rappler]].
22. Sacamos, Karlo. (July 19, 2014). "Paul Lee breaks Chinese hearts by rescuing Gilas with wily final play, three free throws". Spin.ph.
23. Pamintuan, Carlo. (July 19, 2014). "FIBA Asia Cup: Clutch Paul Lee free throws down China for bronze medal". [[Yahoo! Sports]] Philippines.
24. (August 18, 2014). "Andray Blatche, Paul Lee officially named to Gilas Pilipinas roster for World Cup". [[GMA News and Public Affairs]].
25. (13 January 2017). "Lee wants to don Gilas colors anew". FIBA.
26. (8 October 2018). "Meet Paul Lee and wife's first baby girl, Tokyo {{!}} Fastbreak". Fast Break.
27. (11 October 2018). "Overjoyed Paul Lee, wife name their first-born Tokyo. He explains". Sports Interactive Network Philippines.