Barnes said he had great meetings with Toronto heading into the draft, but didn t get a sense the team would choose him. Once they called my name, it was really just a huge rush of excitement, he told reporters on a video call. When I went on my workout day, I really had a good workout, being able to talk to people on their staff, really develop a relationship.
The six-foot-nine, 225-pound native of West Palm Beach, Fla., averaged 10.3 points and 4.1 assists for the Seminoles last season and was named the Atlantic Coast Conference freshman of the year.
He was a defensive force, with 35 steals and 11 blocks in 24 games.
Aaron Beard
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, center, poses for a photo with players projected to be first-round draft picks before the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin) July 29, 2021 - 7:06 PM
Cade Cunningham sure looked like the No. 1 overall draft pick all year at Oklahoma State with his fluid game, scoring ability and passing â all in a 6-foot-8 frame.
So it was no surprise the Detroit Pistons would grab the freshman All-American with the top pick as they did to open the draft Thursday night in New York. And it was the start of multiple teams spending high picks on playmakers with size, including Florida State forward Scottie Barnes and Australian teenager Josh Giddey climbing a bit higher than expected as top-six picks.
Detroit Pistons grab Cade Cunningham at No. 1 in NBA draft
AARON BEARD, AP Basketball Writer
July 29, 2021
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1of14NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, center, poses for a photo with players projected to be first-round draft picks before the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in New York.Corey Sipkin/APShow MoreShow Less
2of14Evan Mobley, right, poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected third overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in New York.Corey Sipkin/APShow MoreShow Less
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4of14NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, center, poses for a photo with players projected to be first-round draft picks before the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in New York.Corey Sipkin/APShow MoreShow Less
Former President Barack Obama Joins NBA Africa as Strategic Partner Published: 29 July 2021
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA AND WASHINGTON, D.C., – The National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced that former President Barack Obama has joined NBA Africa as a strategic partner.
President Obama will help advance the league’s social responsibility efforts across the continent, including programs and partnerships that support greater gender equality and economic inclusion. In this capacity, President Obama will have a minority equity stake in the new venture, which over time he intends to use to fund Obama Foundation youth and leadership programs across Africa.
NBA Africa conducts the league’s business in Africa, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL), which held its inaugural season in May featuring 12 of the top club teams from 12 African countries. NBA Africa is focused on expanding the NBA’s presence in priority African markets, deepening the league
Boston Globe/Getty Images
The NBA draft is typically a joyous occasion as some of basketball s brightest young talents find new homes in the professional league.
But on Thursday, there was a solemn feel throughout Barclays Center as a notable draft prospect was missing from the event. The league honored the memory of Kentucky guard Terrence Clarke, who passed away in a car accident in April 2021. It is my honor to now announce that with the next pick in the 2021 NBA draft, the NBA selects Terrence Clarke from the University of Kentucky, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said.
Clarke s mother, brother and sister were all in attendance, and as the trio walked on stage, the crowd started chanting the young star s name.