The NBA Draft is traditionally an evening filled with anticipation, dreams, and a touch of glamour under the bright lights of New York City. However, this year, the league extended the event over two days, marking a significant shift in its scheduling. This change added an extra layer of drama and excitement to a process already brimming with emotion and potential.
First Round: Brooklyn Buzz
The first round of the draft kicked off at Brooklyn's Barclays Center on Wednesday night. The atmosphere was electric as young talents from across the globe awaited their destiny. With the spotlight on them, these athletes had already spent weeks in intense preparation, including media obligations and workouts, to ensure they were ready for their big moment.
Oso Ighodaro of Marquette, selected at No. 40 by the Phoenix Suns, recounted his journey leading up to the draft. “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,” he shared.
For the draftees, the whirlwind nature of the event meant little sleep and a constant flurry of activities. “We were exhausted. We got some food and went straight to sleep,” Jaylen Wells, who was selected No. 39 by the Memphis Grizzlies, said about his experience between rounds.
Second Round: A Change of Scenery
The second round took place the following day at the South Street Seaport studios, offering a stark contrast to the grandeur of Barclays Center. Deputy commissioner Mark Tatum played a pivotal role in welcoming the second-round picks, extending his hand to each hopeful.
Among them was Nigerian center Adem Bona, who was picked No. 41 by the Philadelphia 76ers. Reflecting on the two-day format, 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.'” Despite the stress, the presence of his supportive entourage provided comfort. “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, picked at No. 37 by the Detroit Pistons, who found himself overcome with emotion. “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 expressed with palpable joy.
Cam Christie, selected No. 46 by the Los Angeles Clippers, found his name called and in doing so, created a rare sibling duo in the league with 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 reflected on the unique achievement.
The Lengthy Process
This year's NBA Draft spanned an impressive 22½ hours from its 8 p.m. start on Wednesday to its conclusion, testing the endurance of everyone involved. Harrison Ingram from North Carolina, chosen by the San Antonio Spurs at No. 48, spoke lightly on how he managed the prolonged event. “Everything was the same but my socks,” he quipped, capturing the small adjustments players made to stay comfortable over the grueling two-day process.
Despite the long hours and the tension of not knowing what the future holds, the moment a player receives the call can wash away all the anxiety. “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,” Cam Christie said, capturing the relief shared by many draftees.
The two-day format may have amplified the experience for the players, and while some found it stressful, it ultimately provided more moments of anticipation and joy. This year’s draft will be remembered not just for the future stars it introduced, but for its extended format that added a new layer of depth to an already storied event.