The NBA's annual draft event took a new twist this year, stretching the festivities over two days. This extended format brought an unprecedented level of anticipation and fatigue for the draftees. The first round unfolded Wednesday night at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, with the tension extending into Thursday at South Street Seaport studios for the second round.
Among the ten hopefuls who eagerly waited in the green room at the Seaport was Marquette's Oso Ighodaro, selected at No. 40 by the Phoenix Suns. Ighodaro had a whirlwind schedule leading up to his selection, reflecting, "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."
Indeed, the draft’s new format put additional strain on the players. Jaylen Wells of Washington State, picked No. 39 by the Memphis Grizzlies, expressed the collective exhaustion. "We were exhausted. We got some food and went straight to sleep," he said. Despite the fatigue, Wells maintained a spirited attitude, even re-wearing a particular outfit he was fond of. "And then I was like, 'I just love this one so much,' so I was like, 'I gotta wear it again.'"
Harrison Ingram from North Carolina, chosen by the San Antonio Spurs at No. 48, conveyed the quirky challenges of back-to-back days, noting, "Everything was the same but my socks."
The back-to-back nature of the two-day event added to the stress, especially for international players like Nigerian center Adem Bona, picked at No. 41 by the Philadelphia 76ers. "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 said. However, having the support of his family and friends in such a momentous time offered solace. "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 added.
Another notable pick, Swedish forward Bobi Klintman, selected at No. 37 by the Detroit Pistons, was overwhelmed with emotions, sharing, "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."
Beyond the individual selections and emotional highs, a unique narrative unfolded through the Christie siblings. With Cam Christie being selected No. 46 by the Los Angeles Clippers, he joined his brother, Max Christie of the Lakers, to create a sibling duo in the NBA. Cam articulated the improbability and excitement of the situation. "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." The nerves also gave way to relief once his fate was sealed. "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 reflected.
In total, the NBA Draft spanned 22½ hours from its 8 p.m. start on Wednesday until its conclusion. This marathon event tested the patience, endurance, and composure of all involved. Yet, as evidenced by the emotive reflections and shared experiences of the draftees, it was an unforgettable initiation into the professional league. Given their diverse journeys and backgrounds, these young athletes are set to bring fresh energy and talent to the NBA, heralding a new era brimming with promise.