Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller and Scoot Henderson were the headline acts of Thursday's NBA Draft at Barclays Center, but 15th-overall pick Kobe Bufkin stunned some viewers after he was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in Brooklyn.
The Michigan Wolverines shooting guard enjoyed a life-changing moment as he heard his name called by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the first selection after the lottery picks, heading to an up-and-coming Hawks team that reached the playoffs last season.
But the 19-year-old did divide fans on social media when he sat alongside his mother, Kimberly, and appeared to be stroking her leg during an ESPN interview to reflect on his achievement of reaching the NBA.
"I don’t know about you, but I’ve never rubbed my mom's leg like that," one user wrote. Another added: "I thought I was the only one. I’m glad someone else caught this, because what in the actual f*** is going on here?"
However, some fans defended Bufkin. One person said: "Why are y'all so weird? Have some shame." Another user wrote: "That’s his mom, idiot. Don’t s*** on the biggest moment of his career thus far."
After hearing his name called, Bufkin admitted he was surprised he was selected by the Hawks, He had not worked out with the team in the lead-up to the draft, but he is delighted to get down to work with his new teammates.
“It was a sigh of relief for sure, happiness, a mix of emotions, but I actually have family in Atlanta so I’m looking forward to going down there and celebrating with them,” he told 11Alive.
“I didn’t work out with them (the Hawks), so it was kind of a shock, but I knew they were interested in me based off what my agents told me, but I’m glad and more than happy to go down there and compete with those guys for sure.
“I know they’re competing their a** off no matter what they are doing. If they are winning or losing, I know they are going to go out fighting and that’s prevalent with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray leading the pack. I feel like I fit that DNA and I’m happy to go down there.”
Bufkin's mother spoke with pride after his big moment on Thursday night.
“(He has) dedicated himself to basketball. Most importantly, he’s been faithful to the lord and to the game and it has brought him this far," she told ESPN.
“He has played like the world is watching for the last 12 years. It’s what we stress as a family, play like the world is watching, have faith and you’ll get here. We’re here. Grand Rapids, Michigan, is here.”
There were no surprises as French sensation Wembanyama was selected first overall by the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. He was followed off the board by Alabama standout Miller, who was taken by the Charlotte Hornets, and Henderson of the G League Ignite, who landed with the Portland Trail Blazers.
