Missouri’s Kobe Brown was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers with the 30th and final pick in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. Brown expressed his emotional reaction upon learning about his new playing destination. He had stepped away from his seat to get a cup of water when his agent called him with the news. Brown spoke to Coach Tyronn Lue and the Clippers’ front office before the announcement was made on TV, which made the moment finally hit him, leading to tears of joy.
During the draft process, Brown had a workout with the Clippers that he considered one of his better ones. He was impressed by the organization and enjoyed his interactions with the people there, from the front office to the interns. Brown also mentioned that Los Angeles is a beautiful city.
Brown declared for the NBA Draft in April and decided to forgo his final season of college eligibility. He was a key player in Missouri’s successful 2021-22 season, helping the team achieve 25 wins, reach the SEC Tournament semifinals for the first time in program history, and win their first NCAA Tournament game since 2010. Brown led the team in scoring with an average of 15.8 points per game, along with 6.4 rebounds, and had an impressive 45.5% shooting percentage from three-point range. He was named All-SEC second team.
Brown received congratulations from his former teammates, including Noah Carter, Nick Honor, Aidan Shaw, and DeAndre Gholston, as well as his coach, Dennis Gates. With his selection in the first round, Brown adds another accomplishment to Coach Gates’ coaching resume, as Gates joined Missouri from Cleveland State just one season ago.
Kobe Brown becomes the first Missouri player to be drafted since Michael Porter Jr. in 2018. He joins Porter, Jordan Clarkson, Dru Smith, and now D’Moi Hodge as current Missouri Tigers in the NBA. Notably, the Clippers are coached by Mexico, Missouri, native Tyronn Lue, and former Mizzou player Larry Drew serves as an assistant coach on Lue’s staff.
Victor Wembanyama, the 19-year-old from France, was selected as the No. 1 pick by the San Antonio Spurs. Wembanyama had been the presumed top pick for months, and although he faced some nervous moments as the clock counted down, he was eventually chosen by the Spurs. The crowd at Barclays Center in Brooklyn chanted his name and waved signs in support of the young player.
Wembanyama stands at 7 feet 4 inches tall and is considered one of the most exciting prospects in basketball. In his final season in the French league, he led all players in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots. His combination of size, shooting ability, and ballhandling skills make him well-suited for the modern NBA.
As Wembanyama left the stage with his Spurs cap on, he became emotional and hugged his siblings. He later joked about how quickly he received a Spurs jersey with his name already on the back, suggesting that someone knew in advance that he would be selected as the top pick.
Throughout the draft process, Wembanyama attracted significant attention and was seated in the green room. He interacted with young fans, signing a basketball for one and tossing it back into the stands. The Charlotte Hornets selected Brandon Miller from Alabama as the No. 2 pick, and Scoot Henderson from the G League Ignite was chosen by the Portland Trail Blazers as the No. 3 pick, showcasing his unique style with a flashy jacket.
