Today in Kentucky, by Keith Taylor
On Thursday night, Koby Brea was chosen as the first Kentucky player in this year’s NBA Draft.
The Golden State Warriors selected Brea with the 41st overall choice and in the second round; however, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he will join Devin Booker, a former Kentucky star. After an outstanding career at Dayton, he spent one season playing with the Wildcats.
UK coach Mark Pope expressed his excitement in Koby Brea and this opportunity. Koby spent a whole summer in a wheelchair following a very difficult surgery two years ago. It has been amazing to watch him recover from that, turn into a Kentucky legend, and now enter the NBA.
On Thursday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Brea was joined by his parents, Stephen Brea and Mayra Villar.
Knowing that all of the sacrifices they made for me paid off makes me incredibly happy that they can share this event with me, Brea remarked. I’m very glad for them and wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. They are really appreciated.
Even after the draft, Brea continued to have hallucinations.
I’m simply giving thanks to God and considering how fortunate and appreciative I am to have arrived here.
Brea went on to say that he is excited to join his new teammates in Phoenix.
He said, “I’m going to bring anything that’s needed.” I’m fiercely competitive. I am very coachable, and all I want is to be there and grow into my greatest self. They will find someone who is willing to help.
Pope selected Brea as the first NBA draft pick. In school history, he is the second player selected by the Golden State Warriors.
Amari Williams, Brea’s teammate from Kentucky the previous season, was selected by the Orlando Magic five choices later at No. 46. The Boston Celtics later acquired him in a trade.
“As a point-center, Amari Williams did everything for us this season,” Pope said. From Nottingham, England, to setting records at Drexel and then as a Kentucky Wildcat, he has followed an unconventional route to the NBA. I am incredibly proud of Amari and forward to watch his future endeavors.
Kentucky has the longest streak in the country with at least one player taken in 18 straight drafts.
To the Lakers, Thiero
Adou Thiero, who spent a season at Kentucky before moving to Arkansas with John Calipari, was chosen by the Brooklyn Nets with the 36th pick. The Los Angeles Lakers received his draft rights in exchange.
Calipari expressed his pride in Adou’s transformation from a 5-foot-11 ninth-grader to an NBA player. A remarkable voyage; regardless of the round in which he was drafted, people will look at him and wonder, “How did he get drafted there?” It was a great deal.
Thiero will be a successful player at the next level, according to Calipari, who cited the achievements of his previous second-round draft selections.
Guys who were selected in the second round or even went undrafted have gone on to have successful NBA careers. He possesses the mental and physical skills necessary to be successful in the NBA.