The striker appeared to shine under the intense draft pressure, donning a purple suit and struggling to contain his excitement.
“It’s not even a dream. I feel like it’s a fantasy. I dreamed of being in the NBA, but being the No. 1 overall pick is crazy,” Banchero said. to reporters, sitting next to his mother.
“I don’t even know what to say. I honestly can’t believe what just happened. I wanted to be in the NBA, but I didn’t know I would be here.”
Banchero says he plans to bring “everything” he has to the Orlando Magic, which struggled last season with a 22-60 record.
“First of all, just a winning mindset, a work-oriented mindset,” he added. “I’m just ready to get in with the guys and get to work. This is one of the best times of my life. I’m super excited.”
Fashion and Healthy Moments
Chet Holmgren was the second pick in the draft, heading to Oklahoma City Thunder.
The tall man, standing over six-foot-nine, said he wanted to use his natural attributes to help his new team.
“I can use my length and speed to cover a lot of ground and take up space,” he told reporters.
The Thunder’s next practice could prove a bit confusing, however, with the franchise also picking Jalen Williams and (unrelated) Jaylin Williams in the same draft.
There was a lot of fun to be had at the draft which took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Players weren’t shy about choosing their wardrobe with a range of outfits spanning the entire spectrum of fashion on display.
There was also a heartwarming moment when Jaden Ivey was overcome with emotion after being picked fifth overall by the Detroit Pistons.
He becomes the last member of his family to be drafted into professional basketball along with his mother, Notre Dame women’s head coach Niele Ivey, having previously played for the WNBA’s Detroit Shock.
“It’s all man, I’ve worked day in and day out just to get to this level and I know I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her and I’m so happy, I’m so happy,” said Jalen said of his selection.
Niele, meanwhile, barely had words at the moment: “I’m almost speechless, you know, this is his dream come true, to be in Detroit, we have so many amazing roots in Detroit, you know that. he can’t walk on that stage, so I’m so happy, so happy for him, so I’m taking it all in, soaking it all in.”