NBA Draft 2023: How to watch, live stream and tv channel details
The NBA Draft is one of the highlights of the sporting calendar, here is all you need to know about the event
With the NBA offseason looming both fans and players can look forward to another all-star Draft taking centre stage. The NBA Draft is one of the biggest nights in sport where some of the best up-and-coming talent will start their journey in the NBA. Ahead of the event, here is all you need to know about this year's event.
What is the NBA Draft?
Taking place on Thursday, June 22 at 1am UK time (8pm EST), the NBA Draft is an annual event that occurs after all games have been completed in theregular and post season. Teams select the most highly rated players from American colleges and international professional leagues to join them ahead of the upcoming season.
The draft is made up of two rounds where teams can obtain exclusive rights to sign the brightest prospects to an official NBA contract. The order of picks is chosen based on a team's record the previous season. The teams with the worst record are awarded spots in the draft lottery to determine first goes last, while the champions wil have the final selection of the first round.
The whole drafting process includes 60 players across two rounds, with each team essentially getting two picks, although this year the Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers will not have a second round selection after free agency violations. However, teams can trade draft picks for money, current players in their teams or for other draft picks.
Just some of the stand-out picks in recent years have been Shaquille O'Neal who was chosen by the Orlando Magic in 1992, Dwight Howard also chosen by the Magic in 2004, LeBron James who joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 and Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2013.
Where is the 2023 NBA Draft taking place?
This year's NBA Draft is being hosted at The Barclays Center in New York. The stadium is the current home of the Brooklyn Nets and has a capacity of up to 17,700 fans.
The draft has taken place here since 2013 except for in 2020 when it took place virtually after the Covid-19 pandemic. Before this the annual event was hosted at the Prudential Center in New Jersey and at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Where can I watch the NBA Draft in the UK?
Thankfully for NBA fans in the UK the draft will be available to watch live. The event is being shown on both Sky Sports main event and Sky Sports Arena.
Unfortunately, as the event is being hosted at 8pm in New York, fans will have to wait until 1am for the coverage to start. The show will last all night before finishing at 6am.
Who are the players to watch out for?
A number of players are likely to make the headlines following this year's draft. The number one pick this year looks set to be 7-foot-3 French star Victor Wembanyama.
Wembanyama has been making headlines after comparisons to LeBron James in recent weeks and is looking likely to join the San Antonio Spurs who have the first pick. Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller will also be high on team's lists after impressing over recent months leading up to the draft.
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