In a unique twist to its annual draft event, the NBA opted for a two-day format this year, spreading the excitement and tension across two nights. The first round took place at the iconic Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Wednesday night, before the action shifted to South Street Seaport studios for the second round on Thursday.
The extended format clearly had an impact on the players and their entourages. "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]," said Marquette's Oso Ighodaro, who was picked at No. 40 by the Phoenix Suns. "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."
This year's draft became a test of endurance, lasting 22½ hours from its 8 p.m. start on Wednesday. It not only stretched the players' patience but also tested their stamina. Jaylen Wells from Washington State, who was selected No. 39 by the Memphis Grizzlies, noted, "We were exhausted. We got some food and went straight to sleep."
A New Experience
The new format altered the traditional dynamics, making it both exciting and nerve-wracking for the draftees. Nigerian center Adem Bona, chosen at No. 41 by the Philadelphia 76ers, expressed his feelings about the split event. "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.'
For some, the waiting game was agonizing. Cam Christie, picked No. 46 by the Los Angeles Clippers, admitted, "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."
Unforgettable Moments
Beyond the fatigue and stress, the draft brought unforgettable moments of joy and relief. Bobi Klintman, selected at No. 37 by the Detroit Pistons, found the experience overwhelming. "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 shared.
Adem Bona echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the presence of his close-knit support system. "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."
A Family Affair
The draft also had its heartwarming moments, including the story of Cam Christie and his brother, Max Christie of the Lakers, marking a rare sibling duo in the NBA. "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, reflecting on what the moment meant for him and his family.
This year's draft, despite its extended format, delivered stories of persistence, community, and triumph. Harrison Ingram, chosen by the San Antonio Spurs at No. 48, summed up the personal touch of his draft day by noting, "Everything was the same but my socks." For these young athletes, the draft is not just a stepping stone but a lifetime memory, mixed with grueling hours and heartwarming moments, all part of their journey to the NBA.
As the draftees head into their professional careers, the blend of fatigue and elation of their draft experience will undoubtedly fuel their ambitions. The two-day format may have asked a lot from them, but it also provided a unique chapter in their stories, setting a memorable start to their journeys in the NBA.