Anthony Edwards paid tribute to his mother and grandmother. Onyeka Okongwu recalled his brother. Obi Toppin thought about coming home.
Tears flowed freely for those and many more players Wednesday night when their long-awaited, months-delayed NBA dreams were finally realized.
Edwards was taken by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the No. 1 pick in an NBA draft delayed multiple times because of the coronavirus pandemic.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced the pick from ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. The draft was originally scheduled for June 25 before multiple delays caused by the virus pushed it back out and out of its usual home at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Boxes of hats were shipped to the top prospects to put on the one they needed after their name was called.
Edwards, a a 6-foot-3, 225-pound shooting guard from Atlanta, watched while seated next to portraits of his late mother and grandmother. They both died of cancer, and he was emotional after his name was announced.