Devonte’ and Svi find new homes after 2018 NBA Draft
Posted on Jun 22, 2018 in News and Sports
A pair of Jayhawk seniors saw their NBA dreams realized Thursday night: Devonte’ Graham and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk both heard their names called during the 2018 NBA Draft.
Draft Day
The day began with Devonte’ sharing his wide range of emotions on the upcoming night:
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— Devonte Graham (@Devonte4Graham) June 21, 2018
Idk how to feel right now lol ????
— Devonte Graham (@Devonte4Graham) June 21, 2018
Lots of Jayhawk alumni offered their support for their former teammates:
Good luck to my boys today @Devonte4Graham @Sviat_10 @iammaliknewman ???????? ????????
— Frank Mason (@FrankMason0) June 21, 2018
Goodluck to my Brothers in the draft tonight @nolimitbill @Devonte4Graham @iammaliknewman @Sviat_10
— LaGerald “BOOMAIN” Vick (@Vicklovekicks) June 22, 2018
Wish the best for my young #Jayhawk Brothers tonight, @Devonte4Graham @Sviat_10 @iammaliknewman @nolimitbill pic.twitter.com/uRS1ubxQxg
— Aaron Miles (@AMiles_11) June 21, 2018
Good luck to the Jayhawks in the draft tonight! RCJH @Devonte4Graham @Sviat_10
— Mario Little (@riochitown23) June 22, 2018
Alumni in Nashville, Tampa and Omaha also got together at their local watch sites to see where the Jayhawks would begin their NBA careers.
Going home again
The Big 12 Player of the Year didn’t have to wait long into the second round to know his destination, as the Charlotte Hornets traded two future second round picks to secure the first-team All-American at pick #34. Graham continues to be linked to his former backcourt teammate Frank Mason III, who was drafted with the same pick last year by the Sacramento Kings.
OFFICIAL: The Hornets have acquired the draft rights to Kansas guard Devonte’ Graham from the @ATLHawks in exchange for two future second-round @NBADraft picks!!! #BuzzCity pic.twitter.com/izsZQ5CrZr
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) June 22, 2018
Yea D Tae !! @Devonte4Graham
— Landen A. Lucas (@LandenLucas) June 22, 2018
Graham finds himself going back to where it all began, as the Charlotte Hornets play only two hours away from his hometown of Raleigh.
Toughhhhhhhh! Fam at all the games ???????? Congrats my brother https://t.co/MclQA756s0
— Wayne Selden Jr. (@WayneSeldenJr) June 22, 2018
D tae ???????? @Devonte4Graham #bless
— Dwight Coleby???????? (@daddysmooth22) June 22, 2018
Graham represented his alma mater with a KU tie at his introductory press conference:
???? @Devonte4Graham has officially made it to #BuzzCity! pic.twitter.com/bUS9DQdXVM
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) June 22, 2018
He also shared how excited he is to have his family nearby:
“Being able to be home and have (my family) two hours away is just a blessing.”
— North Carolina native and new @hornets point guard Devonte’ Graham#BuzzCity pic.twitter.com/SbUyXeHWCU
— FOX Sports: Hornets (@HornetsOnFSSE) June 22, 2018
LA Living
From a legendary college program to a historic NBA franchise, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk’s world tour continues after the Los Angeles Lakers selected him with the 47th pick.
Bringing a Jayhawk in the fold!
Welcome to the #LakeShow, @Sviat_10!! pic.twitter.com/4JKxNZyNSp
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 22, 2018
Congrats my brother https://t.co/U9Z2VDbc5K
— Frank Mason (@FrankMason0) June 22, 2018
Leggggooo @Sviat_10 !! LA talk ???????? proud of my boy !
— Wayne Selden Jr. (@WayneSeldenJr) June 22, 2018
Can I get a SVIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
— Mitch Lightfoot (@Mitchlightfoot) June 22, 2018
Chip on the shoulder
While Malik Newman and Billy Preston were not selected, their professional basketball careers are just beginning. Former Kansas guard Wayne Selden Jr., who went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft and now plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, shared his advice:
Not hearing your name called tonight doesn’t mean a damn thing, its all about what you do now. Yeah be mad, but use that frustration as fuel to the fire to prove you belong. Take it day by day & work your ass off because the cream will always rise to the top. Thats just facts.
— Wayne Selden Jr. (@WayneSeldenJr) June 22, 2018
Reports indicate Malik Newman has signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, allowing him to play for the Lakers and their G League affiliate.
—Ryan Camenzind