Always an Auburn Man. @cavs, you're getting a great one.#WarEagle x @isaacokoro303 pic.twitter.com/podt1o5Krv
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) November 19, 2020
"With the fifth pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select Isaac Okoro from Auburn University."
ATLANTA – For Isaac Okoro, it's a moment he will never forget.
The draft itself was supposed to take place in June at the Barclays Center, the same arena where Okoro and his Auburn teammates won the Legends Classic at this same time last year. However, with the draft being virtual, he watched from a restaurant in his hometown Wednesday night surrounded by friends and family.
But it didn't matter it was five months late. It didn't matter Okoro didn't get to walk across the stage and greet NBA commissioner Adam Silver. What mattered was he heard his name called. He had made it.
"It's amazing," Okoro said. "It's truly a blessing. I feel blessed to be one of the people to get drafted to the NBA. I don't take any of that for granted."
THE ARRIVALShortly after 6 p.m., less than two hours before the start of the draft, Okoro showed up dressed like he was ready for the green room. He wore a red suit jacket, a black dress shirt and a matching black pocket square.
The jacket itself was the perfect color for the team who later drafted Okoro, which was not planned. He later admitted he had no idea where he was going. The suit color wasn't quite as appealing to Auburn fans, though. But the first one-and-done in the program's history still paid tribute to his former school with an Auburn patch stitched on to the inside of the suit, along with a patch of his high school and AAU teams.
"Auburn just showed me how to handle my business," Okoro said. "Going into college, you're on your own. Your parents are not around you. Auburn showed me the business side of it, showed me how to be a man, how to get your job done and have a hard work ethic."
For the next 90 minutes, Okoro spent most of his time talking with people and taking photos.
When the time came for the draft to start, he found his way to the front where he sat on a couch facing the cameras ESPN had set up. His mom sat to his left, his dad to his right, and he had all three of his siblings sitting on the outside of them. It was showtime.THE MOMENT Okoro sat with his family as the first few picks came off the board – Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, LaMelo Ball. He didn't have to wait long, though, until it was his turn. The Cleveland Cavaliers went on the clock around 8:30 p.m., and five minutes later, Silver announced the pick.
Immediately, Okoro stood up and hugged his mom. He followed with hugs for his sisters and then his dad and his brother. All the while, everybody else in the place was cheering. He put on the Cavaliers hat and then watched and listened as Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl, who spoke with Okoro earlier in the day to celebrate the occasion, broke down the star of the night live on ESPN.
"He's a winner," Pearl said. "I think he's the best defensive player in the draft."
Next, it was Okoro's turn. With the significance of the moment still sinking in and everybody around him still giddy with excitement, he talked about his work ethic – early mornings and late nights in the gym. He was asked who he's most looking forward to guarding in the NBA.
"I'm looking forward to guarding the best player on the other team," Okoro said.
The wait was over. The pick was in. The dream was realized.THE CELEBRATION Ten minutes after hearing his name called, Okoro took his mom and dad outside where a brand-new Range Rover was parked on the curb with a bow on it. It was a present for his dad.
"My dad always bought cars for me, my three siblings and my mom. He's never bought himself a car," Okoro said. "He's always been stuck with a 2002 Sequoia. His dream car was a Range Rover, so it was only right on my draft day to not only think about myself but think about my family and surprise my dad with a Range Rover."
In the trunk, there were also presents for his mom – a Chanel bag and a Rolex.
It was about this time when everything started to hit him. Reality set in and while hugging his mom and dad, the tears started streaming down his face. "I've never seen Isaac cry," said one of the guests. Okoro is not one to cry, but the moment caught up to him. And being able to share the moment with everybody and share a token of gratitude for his parents made it extra special.
"Just having those people who are in my circle and the people who helped me get to where I'm at today, it was great," Okoro said. "The night went as good as it could have."
The celebration continued outside with more hugs and more photos. At one point, somebody handed Okoro a cell phone. Lil Wayne was on the screen. The famed rapper wanted to congratulate Okoro on his big night.
Once everybody moved back inside, Okoro ducked away so he could jump on a Zoom call with his new team. He talked with the Cavaliers GM and coaches, who were all excited for their new player to get to Cleveland and start working out with his teammates. On Friday, he flew up met them in person.
"I'm excited," Okoro said. "I'm just ready to go up there, see all the guys and get to work."