The day of the draft was the day of the year's rookie celebration, and it was also the day that most fans in the United States paid attention to.
At the same time, some of China's sports management, some of the CBA club management, and most of the CBA professional players and fans from the other side of the Pacific Ocean were paying attention.
It was because this was the first time that the country had a top pick in the NBA. It was also possible that the first top pick would appear, as well as the first foreign top pick.
No matter which 'first place' it was, it had a high level of attention.
This was especially true for those close friends and family who had a close relationship with Dayao.
"Are you nervous?"
In Dayao's room, his parents were sitting next to the tall and thin Dayao. His father asked gently.
"A little."
Everyone was nervous about the future of their career.
What's more, Big Yao was tied to the country's high hopes and the expectations of the fans. Any movement in the draft was tied to the hearts of hundreds of millions of fans.
He was worried that he would not be chosen. Even if the Houston Rockets, who had the first pick, repeatedly promised to pick him, he was still uneasy.
Even though this year wasn't a great year for talent selection, there were still many talented rookies participating.
Yao was not the only favorite to be the top scorer. The best college player in the United States from Duke University, Naissmith, and the winner of the Wooden Award, Jay Williams, were also among them.
Amare Stoudemire, Nene Hilario, and the son of NBA legend Mike Dunleavy, also threatened the top three favorites.
Don't think that Big Yao is safe.
"Don't worry!"
Father Yao, who didn't know the details of the rookie list, was more relaxed than his son. He patted his son's shoulder and comforted him softly,"Didn't the rocket team give you a guarantee?”
"Mr. Bill (Big Yao's American agent, Bill Duffy) also said on the phone that we just have to wait to be selected. What's there to worry about?”
Even so, no one could guarantee that the Rockets would not suddenly change their mind. Big Yao was not sure.
As time passed, the draft officially began. When the president of the Alliance, Stern, went on stage with a smile, Big Yao's heart immediately tensed up.
Even Father Yao and Mother Yao, who were comforting their son, sat up straight and stared at the television screen without blinking.
" The Houston Rockets chose…"
When Stern picked up the note in his hand and announced the target of the Rockets, it wasn't just the Yao family. Many people in the country immediately perked up their ears and listened attentively, afraid that they couldn't hear it clearly.
The three people from Dayao abandoned their focus and remained motionless.
" The Houston Rockets chose..." Stern smiled and turned to the camera." From China…"
As soon as Stern's name was mentioned, there was no suspense for the top scorer.
Big Yao clenched his fists and waved them excitedly. Father and Mother Yao also heaved a sigh of relief and smiled at each other.
Their worried hearts finally settled.
The Houston Rockets did not go back on their word and chose their son.
At this moment, the Chinese people who were paying attention to the draft and who the top scorer would be cheered.
As expected!
Feeling that his rebirth didn't cause too much of a butterfly effect, Duke smiled to himself.
He had a training relationship with Big Yao before and had recommended himself.
Unfortunately, in just one day, Big Yao rushed back to China to participate in training and prepare to play with the national team in the World Championship held in Indiana.
Because of his participation in the World Championship, Big Yao missed the meeting and practice with the Rockets. He also missed the preseason, causing him to be out of place in his rookie season debut. With a score of 0 points and 2 rickets, he became famous for his dark history.
Because of this, he was looked down upon by Barkley and kissed a donkey in the commentary program.
Big Yao had become the new year's top draft pick. This had nothing to do with Duke. He only cared about whether he would be selected.
Due to time constraints, Duke only participated in the Wizards 'trial. This was an additional personal trial opportunity that Jordan had given him.
Although he had received the promise of a talent show, who could guarantee that the big shot would not forget about him?
Now, he could only passively wait for Jordan to fulfill his promise.
If he did not fulfill his promise, he could only look for opportunities during the summer league and the preseason training camp.
Stern went on stage to announce the other picks.
The second pick was Jay Williams.
The Golden State Warriors chose Mike Dunleavy as their third pick.
Fourth…
...
The Phoenix Suns chose Amare Stoudemire for the ninth pick.
...
Duke was concerned about the 11th pick. The Washington Wizards chose…Jared Jeffries, a 211cm shooting player.
It seemed that Jordan and the team's management had chosen a big man to hoard the inside players even though they already had Kuame Brown, Brandon Haywood, Christine Leitner, and Cassidy White.
It couldn't be helped. Last season, the Wizards suffered because of their weak offense in the paint.
Duke was not surprised that he was not selected as a first-round pick. After all, he had no prior game experience.
No matter how much Jordan said and thought highly of him, he would not make such a big bet.
The draft continued. Stern's face was stiff from smiling, but he still had to go on stage frequently to announce the results.
Next was the Wizards 'second first-round pick, the 17th pick. They chose Juan Dixson, a 191cm player at the second position.
This could be the substitute that Jordan had chosen for himself.
Duke was starting to get a little nervous. The Wizards only had one draft pick left. He was likely to lose and be fooled by Jordan.
The first round of selection for each team quickly ended. After a few minutes of rest, Stern went on stage again to announce the next round of rookies.
At this moment, Duke didn't pay much attention. He just stared intently as he listened to the name of the genius.
In the second round, a familiar name appeared: Carlos Boozer, the future All-Star player for the strong Western Conference team, the Yale Knights.
He had such outstanding technical and tactical skills, but he had inexplicably fallen to the second round.
After Boozer was selected by the Cavaliers, Yoyo finally reached the 39th pick, which was also the last draft pick of the Wizards this year.
Duke only had one chance left.
" The 39th pick of the 2002 NBA draft, the Washington Wizards chose..."
Duke instantly became nervous.
When he saw Stern holding the note in a daze for a second, he became even more nervous.
"What's wrong?"
Old Du, who was sitting next to Duke, could clearly feel his son's emotions. He was confused.
But soon, it was his turn to be stunned.
Perhaps after confirming the name list on the note, Stern announced loudly,""The Washington Wizards chose Duke, a Chinese player from New York's Chinatown. Duke, seven feet one inch tall, heavy..."
What the hell?
Old Du stared at his son with his eyes wide open in disbelief.
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