NBA Draft Unfolds Over Two-Day Extravaganza
For the first time, the NBA extended its annual draft event over two days, creating a unique experience that combined heightened anticipation with unprecedented tension. The first round was held on Wednesday night at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, while the second round followed the next day at South Street Seaport studios.
The shift in format brought both excitement and exhaustion for the players participating, as evidenced by their shared experiences. "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. And then did it all again today. Got ready, came here and they had this event for us," said Marquette's Oso Ighodaro, who was picked at No. 40 by the Phoenix Suns.
Similarly, Jaylen Wells of Washington State, selected at No. 39 by the Memphis Grizzlies, described the toll the event took on the players. "We were exhausted. We got some food and went straight to sleep," he shared, adding a touch of humor about his attire: "And then I was like, 'I just love this one so much,' so I was like, 'I gotta wear it again.'"
Holding the second round at a different venue added an extra layer of complexity and stress for the prospects. Deputy commissioner Mark Tatum extended his hand to the second-round picks, while ten hopefuls waited in the green room at the Seaport for their moment. Cam Christie, who was picked at No. 46 by the Los Angeles Clippers, reflected on the nerve-wracking nature of the process. "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," he said.
The sentiment was echoed by Nigerian center Adem Bona, chosen No. 41 by the Philadelphia 76ers, who found the extended format more challenging. "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,'" Bona remarked.
Despite the stress, the moment of being selected was a dream come true for many. Bobi Klintman, a Swedish forward picked at No. 37 by the Detroit Pistons, captured the emotions of the night poignantly. "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," Klintman confessed.
Harrison Ingram from North Carolina, who was chosen by the San Antonio Spurs at No. 48, added a lighter note to the surreal experience, saying, "Everything was the same but my socks."
For Cam Christie, the draft held additional significance as he joins his brother Max Christie, who plays for the Lakers, creating a rare sibling duo in the NBA. "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," Christie expressed with palpable excitement.
The NBA Draft this year took an impressive 22½ hours to conclude, commencing at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and stretching into the night and the following day. For the players, it was a mix of relief, joy, and anticipation for the journeys that lie ahead in their professional careers.
As the dust settles on this year's unique event, the selected players now look forward to their next chapter in the NBA, carrying with them the memories and emotions of an experience that will undoubtedly shape their futures.