NBA Draft Expands to Two Days, Creates New Challenges and Emotions for Prospects
The NBA's decision to extend its annual draft event to two days added new layers of excitement and stress for the participating athletes, teams, and fans alike. Held at Brooklyn's Barclays Center on the first night and South Street Seaport studios on the second, this year's draft saw a mix of exhilaration, exhaustion, and poignant moments.
Marquette's Oso Ighodaro was one of the athletes whose name echoed through the draft halls. Selected at No. 40 by the Phoenix Suns, Ighodaro recounted his whirlwind experience leading up to his selection. "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 elaborated.
The two-day draft format seemed to have taken a toll on many, including Jaylen Wells, who was picked No. 39 by the Memphis Grizzlies. "We were exhausted. We got some food and went straight to sleep," he said. Wells also shared his unique sartorial choice for the draft’s second day, noting, "And then I was like, 'I just love this one so much,' so I was like, 'I gotta wear it again.'"
For players like Harrison Ingram from North Carolina, who went No. 48 to the San Antonio Spurs, the second day of the draft also brought a lighter moment. "Everything was the same but my socks," he quipped, adding a touch of humor to the otherwise nerve-wracking proceedings.
The Gripping Wait
Nigerian center Adem Bona, chosen at No. 41 by the Philadelphia 76ers, offered insight into what it felt like to endure the waiting game. "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,'" he explained. Despite the wait, Bona cherished the support system around him, saying, "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."
With family spotlight moments being a recurring theme, Swedish forward Bobi Klintman, who was chosen at No. 37 by the Detroit Pistons, shared a heartfelt reaction. "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.
Sibling Stories in the NBA
In a special twist, Cam Christie, who went No. 46 to the Los Angeles Clippers, joins his brother Max Christie of the Lakers in the NBA, creating a sibling duo. For Cam, this was a moment of immense pride and joy. "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," he remarked.
Reflecting on his own draft experience, Cam 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."
This year's draft was not just extended in duration but also added layers of emotions and personal stories. It took a monumental 22½ hours from its 8 p.m. start on Wednesday to reach its completion. Deputy commissioner Mark Tatum played a key role in concluding the process, extending his hand to the second-round picks who eagerly awaited their names to be called.
As the dust settles on this elongated draft, the NBA and its new class of rookies look ahead to their professional journeys. With their varied experiences and the collective support of their families and friends, these young athletes are ready to embrace the next chapter in their basketball careers, having conquered the first major hurdle of their professional lives.