The 2016 NBA Draft took place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York last night. Of the 60 players selected, here are five interesting things we learned from those that experienced one of the happiest days of their lives last night.
1. Ben Simmons, the first pick overall out of LSU, was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers. Simmons, who left college after his freshman year, has been compared to LeBron James, and selected LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, to represent him. Simmons, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, had a message for his fans back home: “I love everyone who has been supporting me back home in Australia. I’ll be back soon, so you guys will know when I’ll be back.”
2. Brandon Ingram out of Duke University, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers with the second overall pick, talked about going from playing for one of the greatest coaches at one of the best college programs, to playing for the purple and gold: “I grew up being a Kobe fan before I became a Kevin Durant fan. Nut of Course that’s every kid’s dream.” As you might guess, Ingram is most excited to play against the player he has been compared to, 2013-2014 NBA MVP KevinDurant.
3. Caris LeVert, a Michigan senior who was selected 20th overall by the Indiana Pacers and then traded to the Brooklyn Nets, has some of the deepest musical connections in the NBA. Not only will he be playing for Brooklyn, but he also signed with Jay Z’s Roc Nation Sports. If that wasn’t enough, he is related to Eddie LeVert, the legendary O’Jays singer. “Those are my third cousins, my grandfather’s first cousins.” Safe to say LeVert may have been singing one particular O’Jays hit after his name was called.
4. Speaking of Brooklyn: Isaiah Whitehead, a product of Coney Island’s Abraham Lincoln High School, selected in the second round with the 42nd pick by the Utah Jazz, also had his rights traded to his hometown Brooklyn Nets. Whitehead, who left Seton Hall after his freshman year, expressed his excitement. “Just to be able to wear that Brooklyn across my chest, it would be an amazing accomplishment.” LeBron James recently won a championship for his hometown and Nets fans hope the hometown hero can be a part of bring the Brooklyn Nets their first championship.
5. Thon Maker, who became this year’s first star to go from high school directly to the NBA when he was selected 10th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks, wasn’t invited to the green room with the players who were expected to be taken early. Without mentioning specific names, Maker mentioned the jealousy some players showed when he was drafted. “When I walked past most of the guys in the green room, some of the guys looked at me sideways.” Maker, who is 19, heard rumors about his official age being inaccurate, with some saying the 7’1” player could be as old as 23. “It’s not true, so I’m comfortable…I’m not angry or anything.”
