This year, the NBA Draft event was an extended affair, unfolding over two days and keeping fans and players on the edge of their seats until the final picks were made. The 8 p.m. start time on Wednesday at Brooklyn's Barclays Center marked the beginning of a 22½-hour journey that concluded late Thursday at South Street Seaport studios. This extended format added a unique layer of anticipation and excitement to the event.
The first round on Wednesday night set the stage for what was to come, with ten hopefuls waiting in the green room at the Seaport, anxiously anticipating their moment. Among them was Marquette's Oso Ighodaro, who was picked at No. 40 by the Phoenix Suns. Reflecting on the whirlwind experience, Ighodaro mentioned, "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."
As the draft stretched into its second day, you could feel the mounting tension and fatigue among those waiting for their names to be called. Jaylen Wells of Washington State, selected No. 39 by the Memphis Grizzlies, shared, "We were exhausted. We got some food and went straight to sleep." The grind of the two-day event was palpable, as these young athletes navigated through a mix of elation and anxiety.
The unique setting of South Street Seaport studios for the second round added a layer of intimacy to the proceedings. Deputy commissioner Mark Tatum extended his hand to the second-round picks, making the moment even more personal and memorable. For some, like Swedish forward Bobi Klintman, who was selected at No. 37 by the Detroit Pistons, the experience was almost 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," Klintman said, illustrating the raw emotion of the event.
Amidst the myriad of emotions, there were also heartfelt personal moments. Harris Ingram from North Carolina, chosen by the San Antonio Spurs at No. 48, noted the small but significant details that made the day special. "Everything was the same but my socks," he said, indicating how every element of their outfit held meaning on such an important day.
Nigerian center Adem Bona, picked No. 41 by the Philadelphia 76ers, provided insight into the psychological toll of the extended format. "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 also spoke about the support system that helped him through the nerve-wracking wait. "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."
Cam Christie, picked No. 46 by the Los Angeles Clippers, had a particularly rare and touching story to share. He joins his brother, Max Christie of the Lakers, in the NBA, creating a sibling duo in the league—a rarity made even more special by their proximity. "It's really hard to even put in words, honestly," Cam Christie reflected. "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."
As the extended NBA Draft came to a close, the mix of relief and joy was evident. For someone like Oso Ighodaro, the effort and anticipation finally gave way to a moment of celebration. For Cam Christie, the culmination of the draft was a release from the nerves that had built up over the two days. "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 the players who were picked, but for the unique format and the emotional rollercoaster that came with it. The event showcased not only the future stars of basketball but also the intense personal journeys that brought them to this decisive moment in their careers.