NBA Draft Expands to Two Days, New Excitement and Challenges for Draftees
This year's NBA Draft introduced an expanded format, spreading over two days and amplifying both the excitement and the challenges faced by the young athletes hoping to hear their names called. The event kicked off Wednesday night at Brooklyn's Barclays Center for the first round and concluded the following day at the South Street Seaport studios for the second round.
The new format was met with mixed feelings among the players. Notable among them, Nigerian center Adem Bona, who was picked at No. 41 by the Philadelphia 76ers, shared his thoughts on the extended draft experience: "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.'"
A Grueling Experience
Oso Ighodaro from Marquette, selected at No. 40 by the Phoenix Suns, gave a detailed account of his schedule. "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 said.
The non-stop media obligations and the anticipation of hearing their names called took a toll on the draftees. Jaylen Wells from Washington State, picked No. 39 by the Memphis Grizzlies, encapsulated the exhaustion felt by many: "We were exhausted. We got some food and went straight to sleep."
Moments of Joy and Reflection
The draft was not without its joyous moments. Swedish forward Bobi Klintman, chosen at No. 37 by the Detroit Pistons, described his emotions vividly. "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 said.
For some, the draft was also a family affair, presenting unique opportunities and sentimental moments. Cam Christie, picked No. 46 by the Los Angeles Clippers, spoke about the rare chance to join his brother, Max Christie, in the NBA. "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 shared.
Christie also reflected on the nerve-wracking uncertainty that precedes the joy of being drafted. "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."
Notable Picks and Their Journeys
Apart from Ighodaro, Wells, and Klintman, other promising athletes also made their mark. Harrison Ingram from North Carolina was chosen by the San Antonio Spurs at No. 48. Reflecting on his prolonged draft day experience, he light-heartedly mentioned, "Everything was the same but my socks."
In stark contrast to Ingram's lightheartedness, Bona had a deeply supportive network around him, although not everyone could attend. "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," he explained.
The Path Forward
This year’s draft, spanning a full 22½ hours from its 8 p.m. start on Wednesday, set a unique stage for upcoming talents to emerge and left an indelible mark on the participants. As these young athletes transition from hopefuls to professional players, they carry with them the memories and experiences of a whirlwind two-day event that has undoubtedly shaped their early careers in the NBA.