NBA Draft Expands to Two Days, Creating a New Experience for Draftees
This year’s NBA Draft introduced a significant change by stretching the event over two days, a departure from the traditional one-day affair. The first round took place under the bright lights of Brooklyn's Barclays Center on Wednesday night, while the second round shifted venues to the more intimate setting of South Street Seaport studios the following day. This extended format meant that hopeful draftees endured a longer, albeit thrilling, path to realizing their NBA dreams.
For the players involved, the two-day event was a whirlwind of emotions and activities. "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, who was picked at No. 40 by the Phoenix Suns.
The prospect of waiting an extra day to hear their names called added a layer of stress for many players. Nigerian center Adem Bona, selected No. 41 by the Philadelphia 76ers, reflected on the pressure, "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.'"
Despite the extended timeline, for some players, the moment of being drafted was nothing short of euphoric. Swedish forward Bobi Klintman, who was picked at No. 37 by the Detroit Pistons, couldn't contain his excitement, "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."
Notably, familial bonds were strong among the draftees. Cam Christie, selected No. 46 by the Los Angeles Clippers, joins his brother Max Christie, who plays for the Lakers, thus 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," Christie said.
His brother's presence in the same city provided a unique comfort amid the draft's uncertainty. Christie added, "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."
For others like Jaylen Wells of Washington State, who was picked No. 39 by the Memphis Grizzlies, the extended draft also meant more logistics to handle but accompanied with moments of levity. "We were exhausted. We got some food and went straight to sleep," Wells said. Although tired, Wells managed to maintain his fashion sense throughout the two days, "And then I was like, 'I just love this one so much,' so I was like, 'I gotta wear it again.'"
Each player's journey through the draft was unique but filled with shared experiences of anticipation and joy. Harrison Ingram from North Carolina, who was chosen by the San Antonio Spurs at No. 48, summed up his approach to the two-day event with a simple yet memorable comment, "Everything was the same but my socks."
Behind the scenes, NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum played a pivotal role in welcoming each second-round pick, adding a personal touch to the proceedings. The setting at the Seaport studios, with ten hopefuls waiting in the green room, offered a more intimate environment compared to the grandeur of Barclays Center.
This new format took a toll on all involved. The draft extended over 22½ hours, commencing at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and wrapping up late the following day. This marathon event was a test of endurance for both the players and the organizers, yet it also added a sense of gravitas and excitement.
In the end, the two-day NBA Draft provided a memorable experience for all the draftees, filled with instances of deep personal meaning and shared joy. As the newly drafted players embark on their professional careers, the extended draft process will be a story they—and their families—will recount for years to come.