The NBA draft, an annual event eagerly anticipated by basketball fans, extended its affair over two days this year. The culmination of months of scouting and speculation began on Wednesday night at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, where the first round picks were announced. The excitement then carried over to South Street Seaport studios for the second round on Thursday, adding a layer of intrigue and prolonged anticipation for the players and their families.
The transition to a two-day event might have added some stress, but it certainly did not minimize the joy and relief of being selected. One such player, Marquette’s Oso Ighodaro, encapsulated the whirlwind of emotions and activities surrounding these days. "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.
The sentiments were echoed by Nigerian center Adem Bona, who found the extended format particularly nerve-wracking. "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 didn’t let the stress show on his face when he was picked at No. 41 by the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite the absence of his immediate family, Bona felt supported by the presence of extended family and close friends who joined him in New York. "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."
Another testament to the relentless pace of the event came from Jaylen Wells of Washington State, picked No. 39 by the Memphis Grizzlies. "We were exhausted. We got some food and went straight to sleep." Despite the grueling schedule, Wells expressed a touch of humor amidst the chaos, recounting his outfit for the draft. "And then I was like, 'I just love this one so much,' so I was like, 'I gotta wear it again.'"
Phoenix Suns’ pick Oso Ighodaro was not the only player feeling the fatigue. Harrison Ingram from North Carolina, chosen by the San Antonio Spurs at No. 48, recalled how even the smallest details became memorable. "Everything was the same but my socks," he said, a light-hearted note to the intensity of the draft process.
However, the pressure and exhaustion also led to moments of sheer joy and emotional release. Swedish forward Bobi Klintman, selected at No. 37 by the Detroit Pistons, couldn’t contain his happiness. "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."
For some, the draft also marked a significant milestone for their families. Cam Christie joining the Los Angeles Clippers at No. 46 created a basketball sibling duo with 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." His palpable excitement was evident as he reflected on the call that turned his dream into reality. "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."
The 2023 NBA Draft was a marathon event, taking 22½ hours to conclude from its 8 p.m. start on Wednesday. The extended format might have added challenges, but it also amplified the celebrations, creating unforgettable moments for these young athletes on the brink of their professional careers.