The NBA Draft is historically a highly anticipated event full of emotion, tension, and dreams coming true – and this year certainly did not disappoint. Held over two nights, the 2023 NBA Draft saw a dynamic change in format aiming for a more engaged experience for both players and fans alike. This year’s draft split between Brooklyn's Barclays Center and South Street Seaport studios proved to be an extraordinary spectacle for the young basketball hopefuls.
A Draft Defined by Anticipation
The first round kicked off on Wednesday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where the atmosphere was electric with anxious excitement. The subsequent day saw the continuation of the draft at the more intimate South Street Seaport studios. Amidst a room thick with anticipation, ten hopefuls awaited their fates, yearning for their names to be called.
"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," recounted Marquette’s Oso Ighodaro.
The extended format presented its own set of challenges. "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,'" said Nigerian center Adem Bona.
Second-Round Drama
Moving into the second day, much of the same jittery energy carried over. As Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum extended his hand to the second-round picks, the room at Seaport studios was a flurry of emotions. The second round saw crucial picks that might shape the futures of several franchises.
Nigerian center Adem Bona found his destiny tied to the Philadelphia 76ers at pick No. 41. Reflecting on the experience, Bona shared, "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."
Meanwhile, Swedish forward Bobi Klintman was picked No. 37 by the Detroit Pistons. The emotional floodgates opened for Klintman, "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."
Jaylen Wells of Washington State went to the Memphis Grizzlies at pick No. 39. Describing the exhaustive process, Wells mentioned, "We were exhausted. We got some food and went straight to sleep," and spoke fondly of his wardrobe choices, "And then I was like, 'I just love this one so much,' so I was like, 'I gotta wear it again.'"
Harrison Ingram, picked No. 48 by the San Antonio Spurs, pointed out a unique highlight, "Everything was the same but my socks."
Sibling Rivalry in the NBA
In a sentimental twist, Cam Christie was selected No. 46 by the Los Angeles Clippers, joining his brother Max Christie, who plays for the Lakers. This unique sibling pairing in the same city set the stage for a promising narrative. "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 shared with palpable excitement.
The culmination of the draft was nothing short of a marathon, clocking in at 22 and a half hours from its 8 p.m. start on Wednesday. As the dust settled, each newly drafted player reflected on a life-changing experience, filled with exhaustive preparations, emotional highs, and the realization of lifelong dreams.
"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," said Cam Christie, encapsulating the sentiment felt by many of his peers.
Whether it was Oso Ighodaro heading to the Phoenix Suns as pick No. 40 or the other spirited individuals who now step into the NBA limelight, this year’s draft has set the stage for an exciting journey ahead for these young athletes. The extended two-day format may have made the event more arduous, but it ensured every moment was heavily weighed, thoroughly savored, and ultimately unforgettable.