After midnight at the NBA Draft, dreams still come true

Mark Tatum, the NBA’s deputy commissioner, had an important job Thursday night, but not a glamorous one.

He was on the late shift.

Shortly after 11 p.m., Tatum clocked in to begin announcing the names of the players selected in the second round of the NBA draft at Barclays Center. By then, the crowd had thinned out, leaving only dozens of scattered fans—and sharply dressed but tired relatives—as his audience. Maybe there was asparagus somewhere.

Commissioner Adam Silver had received the first bill at 8 p.m., naming and shaking hands with the most hyped prospects in the first round, such as Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson – the top three picks.

But Tatum was there for the confident players who were starting to feel snubbed, and for the long shots who still hoped to get a chance. Some of the players Tatum called — such as UCLA’s Amari Bailey — sat in the stands with their families and friends, not conspicuous enough to be one of the 24 players invited to sit at the long, black-topped tables. tablecloths and golden basketballs on the arena floor. It looked like the most luxurious cafeteria known to man.

The first pick Tatum announced, ahead of the Charlotte Hornets at number 31 overall, was James Nnaji, a center from Nigeria who came up and shook his hand. Art Nevins, a 34-year-old from Brooklyn, was still there to see it.

Nevins, a New Orleans Pelicans fan, had come with his friend John Traub, 33. Sitting in the stands, Nevins said he was sticking around for the second round to see if the Pelicans might trade for Henderson, who beat the Portland Trail Blazers. had selected with the No. 3 choice.

“I’m wide awake,” Nevins said. “I’m ready.”

It helped that because he bought his tickets with a certain credit card, he was given a voucher for two free drinks.

Bailey, a point guard who spent one season at UCLA, was chosen 41st by Charlotte. He emerged from the stands in a stylish white suit that appeared to be studded with pearls.

Tatum said through a spokesperson that he looks forward to announcing the second round each year.

“The second round is when the hardcore basketball fans at Barclays Center make the most noise,” he said.

And they did: even the cheers of a single person could be heard from the other side of the empty arena.

Sitting a few rows behind Nevins was Christian Cabrera, a 22-year-old San Antonio Spurs fan who had made the trek from Atlantic City, NJ, to watch Wembanyama be selected with the first pick. He wasn’t ready to leave.

“You can’t be tired on a night like this,” Cabrera said. He added: “I’m a real fan, you know? I get my money’s worth for the trip here. Got to see Wemby up close and personal. Got to be on ESPN so it was cool.

There is always a chance to see history by hanging out there.

In 2014, Nikola Jokic was asleep in Serbia when the Denver Nuggets drafted him in the second round, and a Taco Bell commercial had aired when Tatum announced his name. It seemed that only the people in the building had heard the call – the start of the NBA career of a future champion and two-time Most Valuable Player Award winner.

Depelsha McGruder, who attended the draft with her 11-year-old son, Grant, said she attended Harvard Business School with Tatum. She said his affection for the night shift was genuine.

“It’s still the NBA version,” said McGruder, a director of the Ford Foundation. ‘It does not matter. I mean, there are still people here. This is one of the greatest nights in basketball. Hoop dreams come true.”

A player sobbed into Tatum’s arms after his name was called.

Tatum had made another triumphant moment for television, for those still awake and watching.

Rayan Rupert, a 19-year-old guard from France, was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 43rd pick. Rupert was the last of the 24 invited players still sitting at the tables on the ground floor. When Tatum announced his name, Rupert received a roaring standing ovation from the remaining crowd as he hugged his family and friends, with tears in his eyes.

Most second round players will not have All-Star careers, although players like Jokic, Draymond Green, Dennis Rodman and Manu Ginobili were exceptions. But judging by all the hugs, cheers, and tears well into Thursday night, it still matters to get called up no matter how late.

The 58th and final pick of the draft went to the Milwaukee Bucks sometime after midnight.

They chose Chris Livingston, a forward from the University of Kentucky. He sat in the stands and made his way to the podium.

Tatum ended the evening with a handshake.