The NBA Draft took on a fresh format this year, extending into a two-day affair that delivered a blend of excitement, nerve-wracking moments, and memorable debuts for the league's newest members. The first round unfolded under the lights at Brooklyn's Barclays Center on Wednesday night, transitioning to a more intimate setting at the South Street Seaport studios for the second round the following day.
Among the standout stories was that of Marquette's Oso Ighodaro, selected at No. 40 by the Phoenix Suns. Reflecting on his experience, Ighodaro painted a picture of a busy but exhilarating couple of 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, encapsulating the whirlwind nature of the event.
For Jaylen Wells of Washington State, picked at No. 39 by the Memphis Grizzlies, the experience was equally taxing yet rewarding. "We were exhausted. We got some food and went straight to sleep," Wells remarked, underscoring the physical and emotional toll of the draft process.
Thursday's second round saw Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum extending his hand to welcome the hopefuls. One of the high points was the selection of Nigerian center Adem Bona by the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 41. Bona candidly discussed the added stress of the elongated format. "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 tension, Bona found solace in the support of his loved ones. "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."
The camaraderie and family support resonated with several players, including Swedish forward Bobi Klintman, selected at No. 37 by the Detroit Pistons. "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 reflected.
Harrison Ingram from North Carolina, chosen by the San Antonio Spurs at No. 48, captured a lighter moment amid the tension. "Everything was the same but my socks," he quipped, highlighting the blend of gravity and light-heartedness that defines the draft experience.
The Los Angeles Clippers added to their roster by selecting Cam Christie at No. 46, creating a unique sibling narrative in the NBA. Cam's brother, Max Christie, plays for the Lakers, making them one of the rare sibling duos in the league. "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 Christie said, emphasizing the rarity and significance of their situation.
Christie also voiced the rollercoaster of emotions faced by many draftees. "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," he said, capturing the uncertainty and ultimate relief of the draft process.
As the clock ticked into early Thursday morning, the seemingly never-ending event finally wrapped up, clocking in at 22½ hours from its 8 p.m. start on Wednesday. The extended format may have stretched the nerves of the participants, but it also provided ample time for stories of determination, family bonds, and dreams realized to unfold in rich detail.