The NBA Draft, an event steeped in anticipation and excitement, took an innovative turn this year by extending the selection process over two days. Kicking off at Brooklyn's Barclays Center on Wednesday night, the first round set a tone of high stakes and emotional peaks. By the time the second round wrapped up the following day at South Street Seaport studios, the draft had clocked in an exhaustive 22½ hours.
Amid the intense atmosphere, ten hopefuls waited in the green room at the Seaport for their defining moments. Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum was a constant presence, extending his hand to each new NBA hopeful selected in the second round.
A Night to Remember
Oso Ighodaro of Marquette had a whirlwind 48 hours, culminating in his No. 40 selection by the Phoenix Suns. "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]," he recounted. "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."
For some, the emotionally and physically taxing process added layers of exhaustion. Jaylen Wells, chosen at No. 39 by the Memphis Grizzlies, summed it up plainly: "We were exhausted. We got some food and went straight to sleep." Even the details of attire took on new significance amid the high-pressure environment. "Everything was the same but my socks," quipped Harrison Ingram, who went to the San Antonio Spurs at No. 48.
Handling the Stress
Two-day drafts may become a more frequent occurrence, but not everyone is a fan. "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,'" reflected Nigerian center Adem Bona, picked No. 41 by the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite the stress, the presence of loved ones provided a poignant counterbalance. "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," Bona shared emotionally.
International Presence
The international flavor of the draft was evident this year. Swedish forward Bobi Klintman, selected No. 37 by the Detroit Pistons, described his draft moment as an emotional high. "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."
Family Connections and New Beginnings
One of the more heartwarming narratives involved Cam Christie, chosen No. 46 by the Los Angeles Clippers. His selection added another chapter to his family's basketball legacy, as his brother Max Christie already plays for 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," Cam expressed. The nerves before his name was called were palpable. "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 will be remembered not just for its extended hours, but for the raw emotions, familial bonds, and the indomitable spirit of young athletes ready to embark on their professional journeys. As teams welcome these new talents, fans can only anticipate what the future holds for these promising players.