Dan Ferrara, NBA International
Read what the NBA’s newest players had to say after hearing their name called at the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
No. 1 – Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
“I love everyone who has been supporting me back home in Australia, I’ll be back soon!”
“Dante [Exum] … I’m definitely going at him when we play. We’ve had a rivalry since we were like 7 years old, it’s kind of weird seeing the relationship change from playing in the backyard and now we’re going to be playing in the NBA.”
No. 2 – Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Lakers
“You kind of feel pressure [to replace Kobe Bryant], but it’s a good pressure. It gives you the motivation and the potential to be someone like Kobe Bryant and some of the greats in the league, so I’ll just go in and do everything I can to listen to the coach and be coachable.”
“I grew up being a Kobe [Bryant] fan before I became a Kevin Durant fan.”
No. 3 – Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
“I’m happy to be a part of the family. Boston has a lot of history and tradition, and I want to add to that. This is a playoff team and I love playoff basketball, I can’t wait to win.”
No. 4 – Dragan Bender, Phoenix Suns
On what it means to have Croatian players selected in the top-5 in back-to-back drafts:
“It means a lot just in terms of the work back in Croatia. I think that there are more guys that are coming right now, some great talents. I’m looking forward to those guys coming overseas and to build a great national team, win some championships.”
No. 5 – Kris Dunn, Minnesota Timberwolves
“The hard work is what got me here – playing with that grit, that toughness. I feel like I can distribute the ball and score if the [Wolves] need me to score.”
No. 6 – Buddy Hield, New Orleans Pelicans
“I think the Caribbean has been overlooked because guys don’t have the resources to get out and are less fortunate to make it to the US and get scholarships … there are a lot of freak athletes over there that can really play.”
No. 7 – Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
“I always believe I’m the best player and when a team sees I’m the number one choice like Denver did, I want to play for them more and give them all I have.”
No. 9 – Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors
On playing with fellow European center Jonas Valanciunas:
“I hope that I can really learn a lot from him. I think that him being in a similar situation, I can learn a lot from the way he improved as a player and the path he had. Playing against him in practice every day should be amazing and I’m really looking forward to it.”
No. 10 – Thon Baker, Milwaukee Bucks
“People usually say that playing hard is the new skill, having a motor is the new skill. My skill is always having that work ethic and continuing to work hard.”
“I want to play for the Australian Boomers [in Rio], but not this year. The veterans will have one last run at it.”
No. 11 – Domantas Sabonis, Oklahoma City Thunder
“The trade just got confirmed, I’m just really excited to be a part of this organization … it’s pretty crazy I thought I got selected by the Orlando Magic and then as I went down the stairs, my agents told me I’d been traded … basically I was just locked in a room and my Dad came to visit me, so we just talked a lot and time went by fast.”
No. 12 – Taurean Prince, Utah Jazz
“I thought I was [in the] 20-25 range, so this is all overwhelming for me, humbling. I just have to work harder to show people that I belong in this spot.”
No. 13 – Giorgios Papagiannis, Sacramento Kings
On being the highest pick to ever be selected from Greece:
“It’s a great achievement for Greece. I’m very proud I did it myself and I’m proud to go to Sacramento and be intimate with [Kosta] Koufos, another Greek guy.”
On playing with DeMarcus Cousins:
“I’ve been watching him since last year. He has a lot of skill moves in the post. Tough … tough guy to play against. I love his character, he’s mean for the game, he’s hungry.”
No. 14 – Denzel Valentine, Chicago Bulls
“Being a senior, I just got better every year. Why is that going to stop now?”
“At the start of the draft, let’s face it, I knew I wasn’t going to go number one. 7,8,9, I was like, ‘Alright, now it’s draft time.’ After 13, I’m like, ‘Dang, when am I gonna get my name called?’ I got really nervous.”
No. 15 – Juan Hernangomez, Denver Nuggets
On starting his career with his brother, Willy Hernangomez of the New York Knicks:
“When we were children,we were dreaming about the NBA. So this year, we’ll come and play together and it’s a dream come true. I’m really excited.”
On possibly playing against his brother:
“It’s really different playing against your brother. I got the opportunity to play against him in ACB, then play together on the national team. I don’t know what happens … he’s family. I saw other brothers like the Gasol brothers (Marc and Pau), so we are really proud to be the next brothers.”
No. 16 – Guerschon Yabusele, Boston Celtics
“It’s not a problem for me if I gotta go [play] one year, two years in Europe. I just want to play in the NBA.”
No. 17 – Wade Baldwin, Memphis Grizzlies
On the possibility of starting on the Grizzlies and shouldering a burden:
“I welcome anything that comes by. I think I need to establish myself first, get with the team and establish my role, do it to the best of my ability.”
No. 18 – Henry Ellenson, Detroit Pistons
“I think I can be a stretch-4 for [the Pistons]. Andre Drummond down low – I was really effective and I play well with centers, so I think I can be a guy who adds a whole other side of versatility to make plays there at the 4 spot.”
No. 20 – Caris Lavert, Brooklyn Nets
“I’m blessed to be a part of this organization and be a part of this city.”
“I’m a long-term thinker, long-term type of guy. I know there’s a lot of work to be put in [with the Nets].”
No. 22 – Malachi Richardson, Sacramento Kings
“I’m just excited to be drafted, it’s a dream come true for sure. A whirlwind of emotions!”
“I was able to hang out with DeMarcus Cousins a little bit when I was out in Vegas, but I didn’t work out for the Kings.”
No. 23 – Ante Zizic, Boston Celtics
On Croatian basketball:
“We have a lot of young guys, talented guys. We like basketball, we practice a lot.”
On Dragan Bender, No. 4 overall pick to Phoenix Suns:
“Dragan and I grew up together, we were on the same club. We played many years and he’s my best friend. I’m thankful that both of us were selected in a very good spot on the board.”
No. 24 – Timothe Luwawu, Philadelphia 76ers
“I spoke a little bit with Tony Parker and Boris Diaw about two years ago. Diaw advised me to stay the same, be myself and don’t change my game.”
No. 29 – Dejounte Murray, San Antonio Spurs
On playing for Greg Popovich:
“Great coach, probably one of the greatest to ever coach.”
On going to the San Antonio Spurs:
“I’m excited to learn from all the veterans, pick their brain about the game, on and off the court … I feel like I’m going to the best organization in the NBA, a team that contends for a championship every single year.”
No. 28 – Skal Labissiere, Sacramento Kings
“The biggest challenge will be getting used to the speed of the game, the physicality. I’m going to work really hard to put weight on and get stronger.”
No. 32 – Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Lakers
“Kobe was my favorite player, I cannot believe this is happening. I’m so happy right now.”
No. 34 – Tyler Ulis, Phoenix Suns
On falling in the Draft:
“This taught me patience. Things happen, you just have to learn to adjust.”
No. 42 – Isaiah Whitehead, Brooklyn Nets
“Just to be able to wear that Brooklyn uniform across my chest would be an amazing opportunity and I can’t wait for it … There’s no pressure, I’ve played here in high school and I played just across the bridge at Seton Hall.”
No. 49 – Michael Gbinije, Detroit Pistons
On which matchup he’s most looking forward to in the NBA:
“Being able to match up against Steph Curry, just being a point guard and seeing the success he’s had. He’s a guy I definitely look up to shooting the ball.”
