I still remember sitting in my living room on that June evening in 2018, watching the NBA draft unfold with my friends. We were all arguing about which teams made smart picks and which ones were reaching - you know, typical basketball fan debates. Luka Dončić going third to Atlanta before being traded to Dallas had us all buzzing, while Deandre Ayton becoming the first overall pick felt like the safe choice Phoenix needed. What's fascinating now, looking back six years later, is how these players' careers have taken such dramatically different paths.
Some guys like Luka have become absolute superstars - he's already a four-time All-Star and finished in the top eight of MVP voting three times. Meanwhile, others like Michael Porter Jr., who slipped to 14th due to injury concerns, have shown flashes of brilliance when healthy but haven't quite reached their full potential consistently. It's funny how the draft works - teams try to project these young athletes' futures, but so much depends on development systems, coaching fits, and frankly, luck.
Speaking of development and growth, I was reminded of another athlete's journey when I read about EJ Obiena's recent triumph. The Filipino pole vaulter just celebrated a gold medal in front of his home crowd at the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge in Makati City last Sunday. Watching athletes like Obiena succeed in their respective sports makes me think about how these NBA draftees have similarly carved their own paths. Both represent that beautiful intersection of raw talent meeting relentless work ethic.
The 2018 draft class has given us some incredible moments - Trae Young's deep threes, Jaren Jackson Jr.'s defensive prowess, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's emergence as a genuine superstar in Oklahoma City. But what strikes me most is how their careers have evolved beyond just basketball statistics. These players have become community leaders, business owners, and influencers in their own right. I've particularly enjoyed watching players like Donte DiVincenzo grow from a role player into someone who can significantly impact winning basketball.
As I reflect on where these players are now, it's clear that their draft positions matter less and less with each passing season. What truly defines them is how they've adapted, grown, and found their place in the league - or in some cases, carved out successful careers overseas or in other ventures. The journey matters more than the starting point, something that applies whether you're an NBA draftee or a pole vaulter like EJ Obiena celebrating hard-earned success in front of your home crowd.