As always, NBA draft has a very international feel

It never takes long for international flavor to hit NBA draft, and Wednesday was exception.

With Killian Hayes and Deni Avdija going seventh and ninth respectively, it was eighth consecutive year where a pair of international players went in draft’s first 10 picks. Hayes was born in Lakeland, Florida but holds French citizenship, and going seventh overall made him that nation’s highest pick ever.

Hayes, picked by Detroit, obviously also became first European player taken this year.

“It’s a cool title to hold, but it’s t something I was aiming for,” Hayes said. “I’m just trying to be in a great situation where I’m able to play and show what I can do.”

Avdija was picked by Washington. Israeli player was in Tel Aviv for anuncement, which came at about 4 a.m. Thursday local time.

“Israel is such a small country that doesn’t provide as many NBA players as or countries, but for me just to represent my country and to make history, that’s a blessing,” Avdija said. “I have whole nation behind me. I hope I’m going to represent well. I never dreamed about this moment. I’m thinking it’s just still a dream. I mean, I don’t have any words.”

first round had a slew of international influence.

. 3 pick LaMelo Ball played internationally in Australia. . 17 pick Aleksej Pokusevski is a Serbian who played in Greece. . 18 pick Josh Green played college basketball at Arizona, but hails from Australia. . 20 Precious Achiuwa hails from Nigeria originally, and w is part of Miami Heat. And Leandro Bolmaro played in Spain and getting taken . 23 made him highest-drafted Argentinian player ever.

HAT GAME

draft was taking place at ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut and players were re. But making sure draft picks had right cap to wear is always a top priority for league on draft night -- and NBA found a way to make it happen.

league sent 30 top draft prospects a box containing draft hat for all 30 teams. Also in pack from league: a personalized Spalding basketball, a collection of Beats items -- portable speaker, wireless over-ear headphones and wireless headphones -- and an Oculus headset.

Prospects also received a techlogy pack from NBA and ESPN including a Microsoft Surface tablet, more Beats earbuds and a wireless speaker, an iPhone with a tripod, a Ring light, plus cables needed to hook everything up and turn ir homes into temporary broadcast studios.

GETTING READY

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said on ESPN draft telecast that league and National Basketball Players Association has met with soon-to-be-rookies virtually, in an effort to prepare m for whirlwind that awaits.

re's summer league this year, r is re an in-person rookie symposium. And training camps start in less than two weeks, so learning curve for rookies will be very steep.

“We can do a lot by Zoom and or platforms," Silver said, adding that league and union will continue educating newcomers on what life in NBA is like over coming weeks.

QUICK HITS

A collection of nuggets from draft night:

-- With James Wiseman going . 2 to Golden State, Memphis coach Penny Hardaway becomes first person to have coached a top-three pick at college level and be one himself. Hardaway was . 3 pick in 1993 draft.

-- . 1 pick Anthony Edwards of Minnesota Timberwolves said he’s er to try and play against Brooklyn's Kevin Durant. His reasoning? “Just because he’s best player in league," Edwards said. “He’s 7 feet, unguardable. He can do everything a little guard can do. That’s easy. That’s who I’m ready to play.”

-- Duke did t have a first-round selection. Vern Carey Jr. was first Duke player off board, going two picks into second round.

-- Tyrese Maxey went . 21 overall to Philadelphia, so Kentucky has w had at least one first-round pick in every NBA draft since 2009.

Im credits: AP