NBA Draft Expands to Two Days, Bringing Excitement and Stress to Prospects
This year's NBA Draft introduced a fresh format, extending the annual event over two days. Held at Brooklyn's Barclays Center and South Street Seaport studios, the new schedule brought both excitement and mounting pressure to the league's newest hopefuls.
The first round of the draft unfolded Wednesday night at Barclays Center, marking the beginning of a 22½-hour marathon that concluded Thursday at South Street Seaport. Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum took the reins for the second round, extending his hand to those whose names were yet to be called.
Marquette's Oso Ighodaro, picked 40th overall by the Phoenix Suns, shared his grueling experience navigating the two-day event. "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," Ighodaro recounted.
The second round, held at a more intimate setting in the Seaport, hosted ten hopefuls all anticipating their moment under the spotlight. Among them was Jaylen Wells of Washington State, selected 39th by the Memphis Grizzlies. Reflecting on the exhausting ordeal, Wells said, "We were exhausted. We got some food and went straight to sleep." Yet, his spirits remained high, adding, "And then I was like, 'I just love this one so much,' so I was like, 'I gotta wear it again,' referring to his choice of attire for the draft.
Texas' Harrison Ingram, chosen 48th by the San Antonio Spurs, shared his own lighter moment. "Everything was the same but my socks," he said, indicating how little changed despite the lengthy process.
The format also brought added stress, particularly to international prospects like Nigerian center Adem Bona, picked 41st 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 explained. Despite the challenges, he found solace in the presence of his extended family. "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 said.
Swedish forward Bobi Klintman, who was selected 37th by the Detroit Pistons, was overjoyed by the emotional impact of his selection. "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 expressed, capturing the intense emotion of the moment.
Meanwhile, family ties took center stage for Cam Christie, who joined the Los Angeles Clippers as the 46th pick, creating a rare sibling duo in the NBA alongside his brother, Max Christie of 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," Christie said, highlighting the unique significance of their shared achievement. Reflecting on the nerve-wracking wait, he added, "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."
As the NBA Draft wrapped up its inaugural two-day event, the experiences of the drafted players shed light on the physical and emotional journey they undertake. While the new format added layers of anticipation, it was a memorable celebration of young talent ready to make their mark in the league.