NBA Draft hopefuls from Duke, UNC, and NC State prepare for big night
Duke's Jared McCain became the first Tobacco Road player to hear his name called at the NBA Draft,
The Philadelphia 76ers took the former Duke freshman star with the No. 16 overall pick.
The Utah Jazz then took Duke's Kyle Filipowski with the 32nd overall pick (the second pick of the second round).
The first Tobacco Road player outside of Durham taken in the draft was Harrison Ingram. The Tar Heel forward was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs with the 48th overall pick.
The Charlotte Hornets used their No. 6 overall pick to select a French teenager.
Tidjane Salaün is a 6-9, 217-pound forward who played last year for Cholet Basket in France.
A native of Paris, Salaün averaged 9.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 54 games (40 starts) this season across all competitions with Cholet Basket.
Salaün was named the 2023-24 Basketball Champions League Best Young Player and earned MVP honors at the 2023 Trophy of the Future tournament. He participated in the 2023 Basketball Without Borders camp at All-Star weekend in Indianapolis and represented France at the 2023 FIBA U18 European Championship.
Earlier Wednesday evening, the Atlanta Hawks took Zaccharie Risacher, also from France, with the No. 1 pick. It was the second consecutive year a French player was taken first overall.
"I think the basketball in France is improved. That's why we are here in this draft," Saluan said.
Triangle Hopefuls
Wednesday will mark the beginning of a lifelong dream for two Duke stars who lit it up inside Cameron Indoor Stadium during their tie with the Blue Devils.
Jared McCain and Kyle Filipowski are both likely to hear their names called during the 2024 NBA Draft, which begins Wednesday night.
McCain told reporters that what he learned most at Duke was how to adapt to the hate that came his way in any form - and double down on being himself.
Filipowski has spent most of his summer in Chicago, home of his agency, Priority Sports. Also, the NBA draft combine was held there, so he's been in the Windy City.
He spoke with reporters about what this process has been like.
"This process has been really good to just, you know get more of a sense of comfortability with this new life I'm going into," Filipowski said. "I've been able to improve my mindset and everything getting ready for this week."
North Carolina and NC State also have some hopefuls who may or may not hear their names called during Wednesday's first round or Thursday's second round but will land with a team regardless and get their shots at a pro career.
UNC's Harrison Ingram, NC State's DJ Burns Jr. and DJ Horne are among the prospects who have been working out for NBA teams.
