The NBA has added a new twist to its traditional draft by extending the event over two days this year, creating an atmosphere charged with anticipation and nerves for players, families, and fans alike.
Day 1: A Night in Brooklyn
The first round of the draft kicked off on Wednesday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. For many, including Marquette's Oso Ighodaro, the experience was both exhilarating and exhausting. "I got to New York, worked out for the Nets and then came and did all the media stuff the day before [the first round]. Wednesday, did more media, got to the draft and was there until almost 11, 11:30," Ighodaro explained, detailing the rigorous schedule that culminated in the night's events. The draft wrapped up late that night, only for the hopefuls to prepare for yet another day of nerve-wracking anticipation.
Day 2: An Unusual Setting
The following day, the second round took place at South Street Seaport studios, a departure from the familiar basketball arenas. Amid the unique backdrop, Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum extended his hand to second-round picks, offering a symbolic touch of inclusion to these aspiring talents. Ten hopefuls waited in the green room at the Seaport, their dreams hanging in the balance.
Jaylen Wells of Washington State, who was selected No. 39 by the Memphis Grizzlies, captured the laborious essence of the two-day event: "We were exhausted. We got some food and went straight to sleep." The grind was real, but so was the joy. Wells, ever the character, added a lighter note, recalling his attire choice for the second day. "And then I was like, 'I just love this one so much,' so I was like, 'I gotta wear it again,'" he said, referring to his draft outfit.
Memorable Moments and New Beginnings
Amidst the tension, standout moments were plentiful. Marquette's Oso Ighodaro was picked at No. 40 by the Phoenix Suns, while Nigerian center Adem Bona found a home with the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 41. Bona candidly expressed the intensified stress of the prolonged event: "The two days kind of makes it more stressful. If it's one day, back-to-back, I'm like, 'All right, I'm getting my name called today regardless.'" Despite the anxiety, Bona surrounded himself with family and loved ones, even if not all could be present. "I have my family here. My immediate family couldn't make it. My mom, siblings couldn't make it. But my aunt, my uncle, my cousins from Canada, I have my girlfriend, I have my host family. I have a good group of people here," he shared.
Other notable selections included Swedish forward Bobi Klintman at No. 37 by the Detroit Pistons and Harrison Ingram from North Carolina at No. 48 to the San Antonio Spurs. Klintman could barely contain his emotions upon being drafted. "It was unbelievable. I didn't have no words. I didn't know what to feel. Like, I was trying to hold my tears in. I was really happy. Sharing the moment with the family, too, was big-time."
A Rare Sibling Duo
The draft also created a rare sibling duo in the NBA. Cam Christie, selected No. 46 by the Los Angeles Clippers, joins his brother, Max Christie, who plays for the Lakers. "It's really hard to even put in words, honestly. It's extremely rare that two brothers are ever in the NBA, let alone have them in the exact same city. So it's super dope. We're really close, obviously," Cam Christie remarked on this extraordinary milestone. He described the draft process as a whirlpool of emotions: "Obviously it's a lot of nerves. You don't really know what's going to happen. You don't know when you're going to get called, who's going to draft you, that kind of thing. But I think once I got that call, it kind of all just went away."
Conclusion of a Marathon Event
The two-day NBA Draft marathon, which commenced at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and spanned 22½ hours, concluded imbued with stories of strain, triumph, and tearful joy. Whether it was the high stakes of the first round at Barclays Center or the intimate setting of South Street Seaport for the second round, this unconventional format added layers of suspense and memories that will last a lifetime for the athletes and their families.