Jack Kennedy sits in the green room of the NBA Draft waiting to hear his name being called. At the table is his mother, Margo; his mentor, Washington Falls; his agent Bruce; and his girlfriend, Alanah. The past year seems like a complete whirlwind in his mind.
“You nervous?” Bruce leans over and asks him.
“Nah, man.” He clears his throat.
“I’m not nervous. This is what it’s all about right? Draft day. I just want to see where I’m going.”
He sits back in his chair and thinks about the first time he suited up for the Hoyas. It seems like yesterday, but a lifetime ago at the same time.
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He looks around the locker room as the team prepares for Midnight Madness. After two months of waiting, it was finally time for him to put on his uniform as a member of the Georgetown Hoyas. Even though it was only a scrimmage, it was still something. With both his parents being alumni, he has been coming here his entire life. It was like his home away from home. There was definitely no question in his mind where he was going to college.
“You made a wise choice, Pres. I think we can do some special things this season.”
“Thanks, Grant. I think so too. I can’t wait to get started.”
Grant Alabaster was a senior point guard at Georgetown. He was one of the players that gave Jack a tour of the campus during his official visit. Landing one of the top prospects in the nation was a big deal for Georgetown. He wanted a shot at a championship before he graduated. A real shot. He knew that having Jack on the team was definitely going to give them their best shot.
“Good. Good. You hear that?” Grant nods his head toward the arena. The students and fans were going crazy. He could only imagine what would happen if they were actually facing off against an opponent.
“It’s loud out there. Is it always like this?”
“Pretty much. Especially for big games.”
Jack brought his right hand over his heart, tapped it twice and looked to the sky before making his way through the tunnel and onto the court.
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The draft had finally started and Commissioner Silver was at the podium. Even though he knew it was impossible, he still hoped that he might be taken number one by the Sixers. He would have been reasonably close to his family and going number one isn’t that bad.
The Sixers took Ben Simmons.
“No real surprise, but really? Hello, National Champion here. LSU didn't even make the tournament.”
“Just relax, baby. Philadelphia is still building. I don’t think that would have been a good situation for you.”
He listens as more and more teams select other players. Brandon Ingram to the Lakers; Dragan Bender to the Suns; Buddy Hield to the Pelicans.
Even though they were only at the seventh pick, he was definitely getting kind of anxious. And, if he were to really admit it, a little angry.
“It’s okay, Pres. You will definitely be a lottery pick, my man.” Bruce was trying to calm his client. He was a projected a lottery pick, but he thought that he would go at least Top 5. Two small forwards and a shooting guard had already been taken before him.
“There is no way, you’ll go less than tenth.”
“You better be right, man.”
The seventh pick came and went and the Nuggets decided to go with combo guard Jamal Murray.
“Did you really want to go to Denver, Pres?”
“Nah, I guess you’re right.”
Just then, Jack’s phone lit up on the table in front of him. It was a number he didn’t recognize.
“Jack, this is Vlade Divac with the Sacramento Kings.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Are you ready to bring your A game to Sacramento?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Congratulations, kid. We’re taking you next. Smile for the cameras.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
He hangs up the phone and looks around at the table. Everyone is waiting for him to say something.
“Everybody get ready to smile.”
Commissioner Silver heads back to the podium and announces that with the eighth pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select Jack Kennedy, out of Georgetown.
Jack stands up receiving hugs and handshakes from those in attendance. He taps his heart twice and looks to the sky again as he makes his way to the podium to begin the next phase of his journey.