NBA Draft Expands to Two Days, Delivers Drama and Excitement
The NBA stretched its annual draft event over two days this year, adding a layer of anticipation and drama that captivated fans and players alike. The first round of the draft took place on Wednesday night at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, while the second round unfolded the following day at South Street Seaport studios. This new format had young talents on edge, waiting for their names to be called.
Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum took the reins for the second round, extending his hand to welcome the new NBA hopefuls. Ten top prospects waited in the green room at the Seaport, hoping for their moment to shine.
The fresh faces entering the league brought their narratives and emotions to this grand stage. Marquette's Oso Ighodaro experienced a whirlwind of media engagements and events in the lead-up to his selection. Reflecting on the hectic schedule, Ighodaro shared, "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."
Jaylen Wells of Washington State, chosen at No. 39 by the Memphis Grizzlies, echoed the sentiments of exhaustion. "We were exhausted. We got some food and went straight to sleep," he noted. The marathon draft experience was taxing, but it also offered unique moments. Wells added humorously about his attire, "And then I was like, 'I just love this one so much,' so I was like, 'I gotta wear it again.'"
For some, like Nigerian center Adem Bona, the two-day format ramped up the stress. Selected at No. 41 by the Philadelphia 76ers, Bona remarked, "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.'" Nonetheless, Bona cherished the company of his support system. "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.
Swedish forward Bobi Klintman, who was chosen at No. 37 by the Detroit Pistons, was overwhelmed by the moment. "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," he said.
The Clippers selected Cam Christie at No. 46, creating an NBA sibling duo with his brother Max Christie, who plays for the Lakers. Speaking on this rare accomplishment, Cam Christie expressed, "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 encapsulated the tension and unpredictability of the draft, stating, "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."
This year's NBA Draft was a marathon event, taking a total of 22½ hours to conclude from its 8 p.m. start on Wednesday. While the extended format introduced new challenges, it also provided more time for stories to emerge and emotions to unfold, making it a unique and memorable experience for all involved.