The NBA Draft is more than a selection process involving future NBA players and teams. While that is the main focus of the night, the draft is also part fashion show and part dramatic theater. These two elements make the draft war more entertaining than it actually should be. That is why, we may remember who went first in past drafts but we will always fondly look back at what a player wore or how a player acted after getting drafted.
The draft has been filled with so many memorable moments throughout the years, here’s a look at 10 of the more unique moments from the past five NBA drafts.
2014
The NBA drafts Isaiah Austin: In a touching moment, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver took a brief reprieve between the 15th and 16th pick of the 2014 draft to bring Baylor center Isaiah Austin up on the stage. During a physical leading up to the draft, Austin was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the heart. The illness ended Austin’s professionally playing career before it could even get started. Knowing that it was his dream to be an NBA draft pick, Silver and the NBA honored Austing by making him a ceremonial pick.
Austin now serves as an ambassador for the league and actively takes part in many NBA Cares initiatives.
Zach LaVine’s curses in astonishment: LaVine’s reaction to getting drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves was not what anyone was expecting. Even he didn’t know how to react after being selected 13th in last year’s draft. Banging his head on the table and cursing, many thought LaVine was disappointed that he was going to play in Minnesota but he later revealed that he was just shocked that he was actually being drafted to play in the NBA.
2013
Bebe’s hair and hat combination: Lucas Nogueira was a surprise first round pick in 2013 by the Boston Celtics. Not many had heard of or even seen Nogueira before but as soon as he emerged from the crowd, his afro quickly won people over. Nogueira’s afro was so large that he had difficulty actually putting on his draft hat. He had to really jam it on top of his head so it wouldn’t fall.
David Stern loves to hear from the crowd: Former NBA Commissioner David Stern lived for the NBA draft. Not bothered by the incessant booing of the crowd each time he came up to read a pick, Stern was the ultimate showman and in his last ever draft in 2013, he made sure he was going to leave with a flourish. Egging on the crowd, Stern hilariously mocked them by joking that he had to inform the international audience that, “The boo is an American sign of respect.”
David Stern was truly one of the greats.
2012
U-S-A: Bernard James has hovered around the NBA since being drafted in 2012 but his arrival into the league was very patriotic. Having served six years in the air force before attending college, James was picked in the second round but the crowd gave him a standing ovation and started chanting U-S-A.
"Oh, I get so emotional": After being selected by the Sacramento Kings in 2012, Thomas Robinson’s emotions got the better of him. He broke down in tears and was so overcome by emotion that he couldn’t answer any questions afterwards. Just try watching him get drafted without getting choked up.
2011
The Kiss: Jan Vesely’s NBA career is already over but he will forever be remembered for the passionate kiss he shared with his now ex-girlfriend.
Brick City stand up: For two years, the NBA draft was held at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, the then home of the now Brooklyn Nets. Newark is also where Kenneth Faried grew up and when he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 2011, he was treated like a hometown hero by the crowd. Former Commisioner David Stern even played up the hometown angle by saying, “Newark, New Jersey’s own Kenneth Faried.”
2010
Jingoism: While Bernard James was serenaded by a positive U-S-A chant, when Kevin Seraphin was drafted in 2010, the crowd mocked him for being from France. Seraphin was a mainly unknown player at the time so in an effort to show their displeasure with Chicago’s selection, the crowd started chanting U-S-A in opposition. Not a good look.
Kentucky pride: Since John Calipari became the head coach at the University of Kentucky, the school has become a factory of NBA talent. In 2010, five players from Kentucky got drafted in the first round: John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson, Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton. An impressive feat and was a serious nod to Calipari’s ability to spot NBA talent. This year there are seven players from Kentucky that could be drafted, not all will be selected in the first round but Calipari’s mystique keeps growing thanks to number of his recruits that are playing in the league.
