The NBA Draft traditionally brings a whirlwind of emotions, anticipation, and dreams realized, and this year was no different. Stretching the event over two days, the league introduced a new dynamic that was both exciting and strenuous for the participants. The first round unfolded on Wednesday night at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, with the second round continuing the following day at South Street Seaport studios. This format added a layer of complexity to an already thrilling process.
Among the hopefuls were 10 athletes seated in the green room, waiting for their life-changing moments. One of them was Oso Ighodaro from Marquette, picked at No. 40 by the Phoenix Suns. Reflecting on the intense schedule, Ighodaro shared, "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."
For these young athletes, the draft experience extended beyond just the selection. It was a test of endurance and patience. Jaylen Wells of Washington State, selected No. 39 by the Memphis Grizzlies, expressed the exhaustion many felt. "We were exhausted. We got some food and went straight to sleep." Despite the fatigue, Wells maintained his enthusiasm, even when it came to his attire, saying, "And then I was like, 'I just love this one so much,' so I was like, 'I gotta wear it again.'"
Deputy commissioner Mark Tatum played a pivotal role, extending his hand to welcome the second-round picks. Among them was Harrison Ingram from North Carolina, chosen at No. 48 by the San Antonio Spurs. Ingram humorously noted, "Everything was the same but my socks," capturing the seemingly mundane details that stand out amidst the chaos.
Nigerian center Adem Bona, picked No. 41 by the Philadelphia 76ers, found the two-day format particularly challenging. "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.'" Bona, however, derived comfort from the support of his extended family and close friends despite the geographical distance. "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 shared.
For Swedish forward Bobi Klintman, selected at No. 37 by the Detroit Pistons, the draft was an emotionally overwhelming experience. "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 recounted. The journey from hope to reality is a testament to the hard work and sacrifices made by these athletes and their families.
Notably, Cam Christie being selected at No. 46 by the Los Angeles Clippers adds a special twist to this year's draft. Cam joins his brother, Max Christie of the Lakers, creating a 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," said Cam. His nerves were palpable until that defining moment. "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 reflected.
This year's draft was a marathon, taking a total of 22½ hours to complete from its 8 p.m. start on Wednesday. The extended duration did not dampen the spirits but rather amplified the glory of each milestone achieved within those hours. The 2023 NBA Draft will be remembered for its innovation, the resilience of its participants, and the stories of perseverance that define the journey to professional basketball.