Loading summary
Transcript190 lines
- [00:00]
Ad Read Announcer
Scaling a business takes the right expertise at the right time. Upwork helps growing teams quickly bring in specialized freelancers so you can move faster and take the business to the next level. One of the biggest growth hacks is realizing you don't have to do it all yourself. Upwork makes it easy to bring in the right freelancer when you need them so you can stay focused on what you do best. Upwork is a one stop platform to find, hire and pay expert freelancers across web and software development, data and analytics, marketing, business operations and more. With with Business plus, you can access the top 1% of talent on Upwork. And with AI powered shortlisting, you'll get matched to the right freelancer in under six hours. No endless searching required. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free. That is Upwork.com to connect with top talent ready to help your business grow. That's upwork.com upwork.com your team just added
- [00:57]
Vanta Ad Announcer
its 67th AI tool and also your 67th security blind spot. The good news? The Vanta Agent works like a GRC engineer in the background, finding every app your team uses, scoring the risk and drafting fixes for you. Vanta is the platform used by over 16,000 fast moving companies like Ramp Cursor and Harvey who are shaping the future with AI and staying ahead of AI risk. Get started at Vanta.com we spend over
- [01:24]
Parloa Ad Announcer
40 days of our lives on hold. 40 days. Crazy, right? Your customers think so too. That's why Parloa's AI agents are ready to talk 247365 from payment processing to roadside assistance. Reliable, natural sounding support in any language. Parloa remembers every customer interaction so no one has to explain themselves twice. Experience Parloa's AI agents in action at parloa.com
- [01:51]
Foreign Language Ad Announcer
foreign.
- [01:57]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
What's up everybody? We are continuing with our 2026 NBA Draft coverage and this time it's the bigs of the NBA draft. And to help me rank them, I'm joined by CJ Moore and John Hollinger from the Athletics. Cj, you cover the college side of things. John, you cover college as well, but all things NBA. I thought it would be fun to rank the bigs heading into this draft and truthfully, I think there are a lot of obviously at the top, tantalizing prospects, big man prospects. But also throughout the draft there's a lot of guys with tons of intrigue. Let's start with number one, the best big in the 2026 draft. CJ we'll start with you first, who do you think is, is the guy at that position?
- [02:46]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
I think it's pretty unanimous. It seems that Cameron Boozer is that guy for most people. I would consider Dai Mara, I would consider Caleb Wilson. I'm not sure. It's like a huge, huge gap. But I do think Cameron has the big or the highest floor of anybody, any of the bigs in this class. I think, you know, he's going to be a pretty good scorer. I think you. He could probably be the best player on some teams. I think like in his peak. Kevin Love is probably a decent comparison for him. You know, he can step out and handle the ball. Duke put him in a lot of pick and rolls as the handler. Similar to Cooper flag. He shoots it pretty well defensively. I think he holds his own from a, you know, strength stamp. He's really, really strong, moves his feet decently. The one thing he struggled with in college is finishing over length at times. And I think that's probably the biggest concern with him going into the NBA. But you know, he's a really, really smart player. He wins. He's won at every level. I think you're going to get a really, really solid NBA player at worst in Boozer John.
- [04:01]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Are you aligned there? Cam Boozer, best big in the draft. Maybe the best player in the draft.
- [04:06]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
I have him number one overall. Yeah, I think he is. The Kevin Love comparison is apt. But I think he's, he's like a better version of Kevin Love almost across the board. I mean the, the stuff he can do on the ball to me is super interesting where he's handling the ball and picking rolls and picking out shooters in the opposite corner. Like you don't see bigs who do that. And so I, I think just his overall skill level is so high there are some concerns. Finishing against length, Virginia's Uganda Onenso Bl several times in the ACC championship game around the rim. He's, you know, he's not a seven footer. He's six, nine. He's really, he's a four and a half. Positionally is, is what you would call him where he's not really a rim protector, but you're not. Don't feel totally great if he's just sliding his feet on the perimeter either. So there, there are challenges with guys like that, but you can still win with guys like that. I mean Nicole Yokin shows that more, you know, more than anybody. Now Boozer is not the same size as Jokic. Jokic is also an all time great player. So making that comparison at all. We probably feel pretty good. So I, I and I just. His production was so insane for his age. He's still, I think, the youngest player in the draft, just like Cooper was last year. There might be one or two late guys who stayed in who move past him. I'm not sure. I haven't looked at the birth list in a minute. But definitely of the major prospects, he's the youngest and he is. I, I think his pedigree does help and add something to the. The children of NBA players have tended to be more successful even if you adjust for draft position. Like that's definitely a thing. So I don't know. I think, I think he has a lot going for him. I think the concerns about how he'll fit in an NBA game, I don't want to be totally dismissive of them, but I think they are a bit overblown. I think when you look at this insane production for a freshman on the number one team in the country, I mean, the flag comparisons are obvious. And he's different positionally than Coop, but I think it's going to be the same thing where he comes in and he's a good NBA player.
- [06:22]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Right away it feels like he's a lock to go one to three. Now, I know there's sort of a top four in this draft, but it would be, it would be very, very surprising if he ends up at 4 to Chicago. Do you guys have a favorite of the top three, a landing spot for Boozer that think it makes the most sense? John, I'll let you answer first.
- [06:42]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
Yeah, I mean my, my guys in Memphis, now that they traded Jaren, I mean they need another big there. You know, Zach, Edie hopefully can play, but I think with his health questions, that's not something you're counting on. And again, Boozer is skilled enough to play next to him, I think.
- [06:59]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
So.
- [07:00]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
I, I think that definitely would be a good, really good landing spot for him. I mean, Washington already has Alex Sar and Ad, so they probably wouldn't look to do that as much as one. Utah has Jaren Jackson from Memphis, now has Mark Nin has Walker Kessler. So they're probably looking more at guards. So Yeah, I think 3 is a really good landing spot for him.
- [07:21]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
CJ yourself 100 agree. Obviously, you know, you just lay out the who everyone has and it, it makes sense. I, I think the other thing, that other point I want to make, I was starting to think about as John was talking was one thing that he really impressed me with. You know, there Is a lot of talk of can he finish over length and he struggled with that some. But he does a really good job at just playing to angles and like he had a way of almost finishing around length that I thought was impressive. And he just knows how to use, how to play the angles, how to, how to use his strength, how to get around those, those big guys so well, like that did give him problems. I think there's an element of he's going to figure it out just because he's a really, really smart player.
- [08:08]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
I also, I'm curious to get your thoughts on this, but I wonder if there's, you know, and we've had this for a lot of draft prospects, but NBA spacing might actually help him finish better. Now I know the, the athletic challenge will, will be there and the size advantage will be there, but do you guys. Cj, I'll ask you first. Do you think the, the spacing of the NBA might actually help him in the, in the aspects that we're talking about right now when it comes to finishing at the basket?
- [08:35]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
Yeah, for sure. Especially when you like you have maybe one guy in there instead of three right times in college it can get a little tight. But to what John said, you know, talked about too, like his, his ability to pass too, I think is going to help because it's almost easier to see those double teams coming in an NBA game. And he's dynamite at picking apart defenses when, when, when he draws two to the ball. So I think that's going to be, you know, I know we're talking about scoring here, but that's another thing where like his passing will really come and be advantageous because he really, really sees the floor well when there's two to the ball. And it's almost easier to see that in an NBA game.
- [09:17]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
Yeah, rim buckets are just much easier to come by at the NBA level. College, you can do that. You can put three guys in the paint. There's no illegal defense, the shooters aren't as good. Like it's, it's just a different game spacing wise when you get to the NBA.
- [09:29]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah, I'm really fascinated to see how Boozer pans out where he goes, truthfully, because I know you guys alluded to Memphis being the spot for him, but I wonder if, you know, one of Washington or Utah just say that because of the talent, because of, you know, the production in college, that he's the best guy and, and despite fit, they just, they go for him regardless. That's, that's one of the intriguing parts of this, this whole draft process. Okay, so we've got Cam Boozer, number one. John, I'll go to you first. Who is number two on your big man board?
- [10:03]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
I would say very obviously Caleb Wilson. I think he has the most electrifying highlight package of any player in this draft. When he's taking the ball on a grab and go in transition and dunking on somebody's head, you jump out of your chair. I think. I actually think, like, even though he's a skinny guy, he has good lower body strength. Does it was that hard to push him off his spots. A really good rebounder defensively, a playmaker with shot blocks and steals. Even though his awareness overall could come and go in the, in the flow of a game and was a little bit of a concern for scouts. His shooting is not up to the level of these other guys we've talked about on the last show in this one. That's the biggest area he has to improve. But he's a guy. I mean, he's going to be in the conversation at 1 and 2 and 3. I think when people go back and look through his tape and I think four to Chicago is his floor and would probably be a good landing spot for him. So I, I'm a big fan of his and. And if this is a really strong draft, another draft, he'd be probably in more contention for number one.
- [11:19]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Bryson, are you aligned there? Caleb Wilson? I'm talking about Bryson Graham, by the way. Bulls gm. That's what I thought of because I'm thinking of Slap, and I'm immediately thinking of the question that I'm about to ask you guys about Slap. Cj, Are you aligned there? Caleb Wilson, number two.
- [11:35]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
Yeah, that immediate, immediate promotion. Impressive. Impressive job.
- [11:39]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
Cj if you want to go, maybe the Bulls gm.
- [11:42]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah, go ahead, man.
- [11:47]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
Yeah, I am. I think that, you know, it's funny, when I saw him and I saw him play on the EYBL circuit and he was teammates with Boozer, and what stood out to me right away was just like his incredible defensive capabilities and like, potential on that end. And it's kind of funny John hit on it. Like that was almost became the concern in college. Like, he. His awareness off ball wasn't very good. He had some problems there. But those skill, those like tools are still there. And he is really young and like, I think sometimes we have to be like, okay, he's probably going to figure some of these things out eventually. You know, guys can get better. So he has the tools to be like an elite, elite defender. And then obviously like he, he blew me away with what I thought he would be capable of offensively. Some of the mid range turnaround shots that he could like his shot making. While he's not a great shooter, his shot making was really, really impressive. And then just wanting to tear off the rim at every opportun. His burst is just different. His link, you know, kind of one of those guys that almost feels like he has Go Go Gadget arms, right and can in his finishing at the rim. So he's, he's just one of those guys that, that all the tools, all the athleticism are there and the mentality of like he really, really, really, really his motor while, while defensively he did have his issues but it wasn't playing hard. Like most of the time he, he. Especially on offense he really wanted to get after it. So I think the, the right things are there as far as how he's wired and then he has all the tools.
- [13:40]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
So I'm kind of curious what a comp is for Caleb Wilson for you guys because he feels unique as a prospect in the sense that, you know, I've, I've heard some people say like Kevin Garnett and I think that just that might be a little too lofty. I don't know how you guys feel about that. But, but what do you guys think is a, is a fair comp for Caleb Wilson? John, you can, you can go first if you have one.
- [14:06]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
It's kind of like Walmart Giannis.
- [14:09]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Walmart Giannis is pretty good. That's pretty good.
- [14:13]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
Yeah.
- [14:14]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
Right.
- [14:15]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
I. One that came to mind like I sometimes hate comes but like a young Kenyon Martin, just a skinnier version and a little longer but like just in the, in the burst and the wanting to tear the rim off every single time he had it and you know, Kenyan can shoot a little bit too mid range guy.
- [14:35]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
So yeah Ken, that, that's a fun comp that I hadn't heard yet. Kenny Martin. Well, to the question I was going to ask earlier about Bryson Graham, who is now the Bulls executive vice president, he kind of coined this term slap, which is all about physicality and athleticism and length. I did that acronym backwards, but you guys get the gist. Caleb Wilson fits perfectly into that aspect that just it seems like he's the right guy for them. Okay, so Caleb Wilson at number two feels like Chicago is the right spot for him. Who is the, who is the third guy? Who's the third big man prospect that probably is going to be a Lottery pick, I imagine. Cj, let's, let's go to you first. Who's, who's number three on the big man board?
- [15:23]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
I am very, very high on this guy. Adai Mara, first of all, like, you're rooting for him just because he's like, the sweetest kid. He's just an awesome, awesome dude. Really fun to be around, great personality. But I think when you, like, you watch the finals and a lot of times, like, when you, because the draft is so close to the finals, you start to think like, who, who could hang in these games? Who could, who could you actually put on the floor?
- [15:53]
Taylor (Total Soccer Show Host)
Yeah.
- [15:54]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
And Wimby is going to be like the player in the league for the next decade, right? Like, he is going to be the team that everyone's trying to figure out. How do we stop them? How do we match up with him? And, and the one guy in this draft that, that you could at least be like, okay, maybe match up a little bit or at least give him problems. Is, is a die. Like his, his link. He has Wimby, like length. He has the thing that, like, is so incredible with Wimby and that, that makes him like, almost a one of one. But there's only maybe a couple guys on the planet that can do these kinds of things at the, the altitude where he's doing them is like the tips and the, the being able to tip it to yourself and having the awareness of, like, catching the ball close to the basket with, like, you wouldn't even know where the basket is because you're backwards or something, and then putting it in. And that's the kind of stuff that Adai Mara was doing this year in Michigan. And his confidence just grew and grew as the season went along. Obviously, awesome rim protector. You know, got to be better defending in space. You know, they put him in drop coverage, obviously, that's probably how he's going to play in the NBA. And then offensively, as a season wore long, like, he got more comfortable scoring out of the post. He's an excellent passer and, you know, they've kind of put him around the elbows and he can really, you know, that's what he loves to do the most. And I think that skill will translate in the NBA. You know, he's not going to be able to shoot like Wimby or handle the ball like Wimby, but he, he is a very difficult matchup just because of his size and just if, if at the floor, he's just a guy that finishes lobs use, you know, does that tip stuff that I'm talking about? His parents played volleyball. He kind of has that volleyball influence. He played volleyball himself. If he can just do that stuff and be a really, really good defender, I think he's, he's a pretty good, you know, has a, has a chance to the floor, is a pretty good NBA player.
- [17:50]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
He played volleyball at 7 foot 3. Was he the greatest volleyball player of all time?
- [17:55]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
I don't know if he ever played it when he was that tall, but he played it when he was younger.
- [17:59]
Ad Read Announcer
Wow.
- [18:00]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
Wow, that's awesome. You know, and you can see it when, when he plays. You can see it the way he, you know, his, his disability to understand where he is is impressive.
- [18:10]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
So 7 foot 3, 76 wingspan, 9 foot 9, standing reach. So basically he just needs to jump one inch to be able to dunk the ball. In terms of the, the WEMBY stuff and truthfully like finding players that can guard him or just match up against him, I think it will end up being a priority for some of these teams that, you know, you think of okc, you think of any other team that's trying to build and potentially play in the Western Conference, build a contender in the Western Conference. John, with Mara, where do you think is his best fit? Where do you think is the team that, that makes the most sense for
- [18:49]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
him in the east to Atlanta at number 8? I think the Hawks have an undersized 5 right now in Onyeko Okongwu and I think they are going to look really hard at taking a day. Mara, with the eighth pick he had, he is to build on what C.J. said. Like he's not a shooter right now, is only like a 60% foul shooter if that even. But he has touch and you watch him before games and the ability to do that makes me optimistic that when you're talking about a multi year progression over the course of a career that he's going to be able to move out a little bit each year. And so the 21 year old version of him or however old he is right now is not making an NBA three pointer ever. Right. But when he's 27, can he be like on. Yeah, I mean Onyeka couldn't shoot any kind of jump shot when he got to the NBA and is now launching from the three point line like he's freaking Steph Curry. So you know, can, can there be a development there that gives him some stretch capability too? Now that said, at his size you want him on the block first, right? And he's really Comfortable down there, as you say. Great. Great passer. Just great feel like the thing, the thing I saw him do that really impressed me was just in the Washington game, feels Hannes Steinbach on him, who we're going to talk about probably in a minute, and just spins off baseline and, and leaves him in the dust and gets an easy dunk that way. So kind of that feel for post play really impressed me and his, his improvement over the last couple years. I mean, my joke around him when he first got to UCLA was that, you know, he was named for how long he took to change ends, and he's, I think he's just gotten a lot more coordinated and, and comfortable in that body, and it wasn't really a factor at Michigan. He was a plus defensive player, basically. I think you're right. He's always going to be in drop coverage, but at his size, I mean, that's a big obstacle. And drop.
- [20:57]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Oh, yeah, yeah, absolutely. Okay, so we have our top three bigs, and I, you know, maybe this is personal opinion, maybe this is just seeing the different mocks that have come out, but it feels like those three are the consensus three. And then afterwards it's sort of beauty is in the eye of the beholder in terms of what big that you like. C.J. let's go to you.
- [21:20]
Nanit Ad Announcer
Who's.
- [21:20]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Who's number four on your list in terms of the next big man that people might want to know.
- [21:27]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
Yeah, I think John just said it. I think Steinbach, you know, I think it'll probably help the teams in that range feel better about what they're doing and that Dylan Harper has been so excellent this, this year. And not saying they're any comparable, you know, they're similar in any kind of way, but they did play for losing teams.
- [21:51]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Right?
- [21:52]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
Right. And they did look terrific. And, and you sometimes you have a hesitation. Oh, you know, he didn't play for a winner and yada, yada, yada. But, like, you know, usually it's probably what's around them more. And I went back, you know, going back to last summer, him playing for Germany. That's when it really, when I like, really became impressed with him. Excellent coordination, hands feel. You know, I, I thought that a lot of the reasons you're gonna like Boozer, you're gonna like him. Like, he's just kind of good at everything. I, I don't know if he's elite at everything, but he's, he's pretty good at everything. Rebounding, he's probably elite. And in his hands, like, he's he, he catches just about everything. He looked awesome playing with Christian Anderson. It would have been really cool to see him, you know, have a chance to like that in college. But yeah, I just think as a roller, as a, as a guy that can kind of, you know, a big guy that can play out on the floor a little bit, you know, he fits in an NBA game and you know, another player that's just really, really solid and will probably continue to grow and his skill sets already pretty high.
- [23:10]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah, Steinbeck is, is really, really interesting as a player. I know there are some questions about like just rim finishing. You know, truthfully, like the skill. He has the skill to be able to finish. I think he has a nice touch, but like athletically where he matches up against some of these other guys, probably in his range at the big man position. John, what team do you think he makes the most sense for? And maybe what range do you think Steinbeck ends up at?
- [23:39]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
I, so I actually had him a little lower. I'm a little more concerned about him on the defensive end. I think he's not a rim protector at all and, but I'm not sure I feel great about him defending his space on the perimeter either. And he does that without having kind of boozers crazy upside at the offensive end. CJ's right. I mean his hands are Velcro. That's the most amazing like rebounds and traffic and stuff. He's, he's great at runs the floor pretty well. Will probably develop a workable three point shot at some point. So, so there, I mean there's definitely some good stuff, but I think a lot of people I talk to kind of see him as a third big at the NBA level. Again, he's, you know, he's like a four and a half like we talked about before. And where does it, where does that fit in? I mean you have teams, I mean once you get to that, once you get outside the lottery, I mean you're, you're not drafting starters at that point usually. Right, right. So I think there's a lot of places where he could potentially fit in and be, and be that kind of guy. I'm not sure any one of them is like, oh my God, Hans Steinbeck would be amazing there. But definitely actually, you know what? Charlotte has picks 14 and 18. I think with the second one of those, I mean they need, that's exactly what they need. Like they need more help in the front court and kind of in their, just in their overall depth picture in the front court. I, I think He'd. I think he'd really be a nice fit there maybe with the second one of those picks. But the guy I had fourth here, I'm going way out of left field. Alan Graves of Santa Clara.
- [25:19]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Wow.
- [25:20]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
Okay, super sleeper, mystery meat of this draft.
- [25:26]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Make the pitch.
- [25:27]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
The analytics for John, please make the pitch. Love, love, love him. Really good passer for a size. Really good kind of feel for defensive playmaking. Like you know, steals, rebounds. Just an incredible like nose for the ball. Good three point shooter, like working out of pick and pops and elbow actions and stuff. I think he can be a secondary guy in an offense and still have a real impact just with his feel, passing, shooting guy defenses have to regard. The thing that makes you a little leery and prevents me from putting him too high is he still has kind of a crazy high mistake rate. Like he fouled on every play on defense like it was insane. So if he's doing that on Santa Clara, what's it going to be like at the NBA level? And then you know, offensively there's definitely like he's creating one on one is definitely his weakest area. So can he take advantage of mismatches or is it just like you're just going to put a guard on him and then he's. There's nothing he can do. So I think there are some questions there. I think the thing teams would have really liked is if he had transferred up to say a Big 12 school so CJ could see him every day and, and gotten those reps against the higher level competition. Because I think, I think the part teams are struggling with is the translation from seeing him play against, you know, Pacific and, and these other teams in the west coast conference and ramping that up to playing against NBA players.
- [27:01]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
What about the size too? I mean, I wonder if like his, if like if he can become a wing. It's almost.
- [27:07]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
I think he's a four. I don't think he's, he's any kind of five at the NBA level. You. You'd be. That would be a real like junk ball. Mix things up lineup with a second unit. If you're trying to get away with him at five.
- [27:18]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
He. The interesting thing about him and it's. You brought this up about Santa Clara and maybe potentially playing in a higher level. That sort of reminds me of the conversation about Cedric Coward last year in the sense that we saw him play for like a not competitive school in a not great conference and then he was supposed to go to Duke and we obviously didn't see him play at Duke. And so there's sort of this tantalizing prospect, this unknown around Alan Graves that kind of existed with Cedric Howard. It's not an apples to apples comparison, but just in the way there is unknown information about him. We don't know how well everything will translate. Maybe that makes sense. So do you guys have a comp for Alan Graves and cj Maybe. I'll ask you this first. Was Alan Graves in your top five?
- [28:04]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
No. No, he wasn't. And, and, but man, I, you know, those Santa Clara guys have done great in the league.
- [28:11]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
They have.
- [28:12]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
Yeah. So I think sometimes we, we get a little too fixated on like what level they've they've played. And Cedric Howard, like that's, it's funny you bring him up. I remember last year in the transfer portal rankings, I watched him on tape and there wasn't a ton because he didn't play that many games that season. But I was like, holy crap, Sam. Like we have to have this guy really, really high. Like, like he just popped on tape. And I was so excited to watch him play college basketball this past season. And obviously he goes to NBA and is awesome. So you know, sometimes I do think we. The level, you can, you can get a little bit too much fixated on that because you know, Sinclair does get a place some, some high level teams in the WCC like against Gonzaga and St. Mary's and I know they played, I think they played St. Louis last year. So they usually play a decent schedule. But for a comp, I shoot, I don't know. I'll be honest, I probably watched four games with him this year and I just didn't watch enough to have a great, great, great feel for him.
- [29:24]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
John, how do you feel about Sandro? Mamu Kailashvili for a comp?
- [29:28]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
Sandro's. Sandro's bigger. That's an interesting one. I was like, he's halfway between Sandro and George Niang. And because he's kind of like this IQ feel guy who's not a crazy athlete. Yeah, but he's bigger than George. But he's not as big as Sandro. But I think his role on a team, he's going to be I think more of an offensive player at the next level.
- [29:52]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Okay, final picks here. So we got Alan Graves at 4, Steinbeck at 4. CJ, who is, who's your fifth guy? Who's that final guy for you?
- [30:01]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
Yeah, I almost went this guy at 4 and I think you could, you could flip those and probably feel comfortable. Go either way. But Mahrez Johnson, another guy where the floor is pretty high just because he plays so hard, does the things you want, like a rim rolling big in the NBA, started to shoot the ball. You know, both him and Adai did. They would take a few threes and did start. You know, they were allowed to, to do that in, in the Michigan offense and I think that'll, that'll help them down the road. Just giving them the confidence of like, oh, maybe this is a possibility for me. And he shot it decently from there. You watch him in warm ups, you know, even hit a few in games and, but defensively, motor wise, tall, like, I think he was bigger seeing him in person than I thought he was maybe as a freshman. Watching him on tape, I don't know what he measured at the draft, but you know, good, good size, good, good length. And I just. He's just one of those guys in the NBA that, that makes it for a long time because they play so hard and they're athletic enough and good rim roller and going to rebound, going to block shots. You know what you're getting in Morez, like, it's going to be really, really easy to be like, okay, we want this on our team. There's the guy to go get. We want a guy that plays really, really hard and can defend and rebound and is going to finish rib rolls. And that's him.
- [31:35]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
John, are you aligned? Is Mrez your, your fifth pick here?
- [31:39]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
We, we, we are aligned, actually. Yeah, I had, I had, I had Graves for Morez 5. It's time back 6. So I think he's another guy who's a four and a half, but you feel a lot better about him defensively at both of those spots. I think he's like, he's okay. He's not amazing in switch. He's okay, you know, if, if you ask him to do that. But he does offer some rim protection too. He's a really good rebounder. Just kind of, just, just kind of makes a lot of plays. Even though, like, you're, you're. It's not like they're running stuff for him and he's still like, oh, wow, he had 23 points of 15 rebounds.
- [32:21]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
That's interesting.
- [32:23]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
So I think he's just really productive in the flow of a game. And sometimes these guys who are a little bit secondary on great teams, they haven't shown you everything. And so I wonder a little bit about that too, that if you put him in an environment where there isn't a Yaxel and a day Mara around him does his game flourish even more so I, I'm pretty, pretty impressed with him. I, I have him as like a late lottery slash teens guy. I think there's a lot of places you could fit. He'd be another one to be great in Charlotte, for instance.
- [33:06]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Absolutely. Yeah.
- [33:08]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
So yeah, I, he's clear clearly to me among these, among this top five, he has to be mentioned.
- [33:14]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah, it feels like you know, Charlotte and OKC with those two picks in the teens they're going to get one of these wildly athletic, crazy defensive minded big men and I, you know, Morris Johnson is one of them. But there's also Jaden Quaintance that that might be there. You know, Zubie Edge of four. I don't think Zubie Edge of four goes in that range, but he's an interesting player. There's Chris Cenac who people are kind of enamored by.
- [33:39]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
Snack. Yeah, that's the other one.
- [33:41]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
You know, even like there, there are, there are a few intriguing big men here in terms of honorable mentions that that might make some noise just just to kind of round things out. But anyways, this was great. We ranked our top five big men for the 2026 NBA Draft. It is going to be exciting on draft night. I think there is a chance for there to be some movement. There's going shockers. There always is at the NBA draft. C.J. john, go out and read these guys over at the Athletic. They do incredible job covering all things draft, all things NBA related. Thank you guys for joining us. We appreciate you as always.
- [34:22]
Nanit Ad Announcer
All right guys, let's talk about Father's Day because apparently hot dads use Nanit. Look, it's a cheeky little line from them, but honestly, they're not wrong. Dads today are wired completely differently. They're way more hands on, more in tune and truly co parenting. In fact, this generation of dads spends four times more time with their kids than dads did in the past. And honestly, knowing when your baby went down or how many bottles they've had, that is generally one of the most attractive qualities a man can have. And that's exactly where the Nanit Smart baby Monitor system comes in. It's the ultimate monitor every new dad needs. It automatically tracks sleep with zero manual logging required. And it keeps you updated in real time right from your phone or its dedicated 8 inch touchscreen display. Long gone at the the days when moms had to be the sole keeper of the baby monitor. Nanit offers centralized shared app access. So both parents are completely in the know sharing the load together. You can check in from absolutely anywhere, whether you're downstairs or traveling for work. So you never miss bedtime routines or big milestones. Plus, Wirecutter actually found Nanit to be the most stringent with security of all WI FI monitors tested, crowning it best WI FI video monitor in 2026. If you're expecting, this is the number one item you're going to want to put on your baby registry. But if you need it right now or you want to give it to dad for the ultimate Father's Day gift, do not wait. Nanit has two big sales happening this month. Head to nanit.com that's n a n I t. As you age, just things start to change and no one really tells you about it. One day you're crushing it and the next day you're wondering why does everything feel twice as hard? That's why I started taking Mars Men. Here's what I learned. Your body makes testosterone, but a lot of it gets locked up and can't be used. There's this protein called SHBG that basically handcuffs your testosterone. Even if your body's making testosterone, SHBG locks it up so you can't access it. It's like having money in the bank, but your debit card doesn't work. Mars Men is designed to help free lock testosterone so your body can actually use it. No synthetics, no needles, just real ingredients that help optimize energy, focus and strength. Mars Men supports healthy T levels, energy and stamina. Eight natural clinically dosed ingredients made in the USA and third party tested. They also have a 90 day money back guarantee so there's no risk. Worst case is that you don't love it and you get your money back. But over 91% of users report higher energy levels. Thousands of guys are feeling incredible results. Just check out the reviews on the website to see for yourself. For a limited time our listeners get 50% off for life plus free shipping and three free gifts@ Mengotomars.com that's Mengotomars.com for 50% off and three free gifts when you check out. After you purchase they will ask where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them that we sent you.
- [38:05]
CarGurus Ad Announcer
Finally, car shopping made for you With Cargurus. You can use the new search feature Guru to look for vehicles using your own words. Whether you want great gas mileage or extra trunk space, simply type it in and Guru will give you real shoppable listings that match. It's no wonder cargurus is the number one most visited car shopping site according to SimilarWeb's estimated traffic data. Buy or sell your next car today with CarGurus@CarGurus.com Go to CarGurus.com to make sure your big deal is the best deal that C A R G u r u s.com cargurus.com.
- [38:51]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
What's up, everybody? As Sparahini here over at the Athletic NBA Daily, we are preparing for the NBA draft. And as part of that, we are doing a series of interviews with prospects from the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft. Today we will get to know UConn wing Alex Cariban, who is a two time NCAA champion with the Huskies, was one of the best players in the Big east for three seasons in a row heading into the NBA. Alex, how you doing, man?
- [39:18]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
I'm good. How are you?
- [39:19]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
I'm doing well. I'm doing well. Look, I know it's a busy time of year for you because you are so focused on the draft, but we wanted to do a little bit of a 10 questions thing with you to just get to know you. You know, most interviewers were obviously going to focus on the game, but I think it would be cool to get listeners to know who you are as a person. Before we get to that, just in general, how has the draft process been for you?
- [39:44]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
Man, it's been great. It's been great. So I've been out with my agency in Chicago, so just been staying out here and working out every single day, lifting all the time. So it's been an awesome experience. I mean, working out with other great college players and prospects as well has been awesome to get to know everybody and I've really enjoyed it. I really like everybody. So it's been, it's been a great experience.
- [40:06]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
You a big Chicago deep dish pizza guy?
- [40:09]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
I'm not. I think deep dish is overrated. That's how I think.
- [40:13]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
Okay.
- [40:13]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
All right.
- [40:15]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Honestly, I've never had. So anytime I get a chance to ask somebody, I need to know what they think about deep dish pizza because, yeah, it doesn't look too appetizing. Dude, I don't know how you feel about it. Doesn't look like it's pizza to me.
- [40:27]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
It's not. I mean, it's not my favorite. It's too thick. And then just. I'm not a big sauce guy too. So like a bunch of sauce. More sauce than I typically like on pizza. So not. Not a good combo for me.
- [40:39]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Okay, fair enough. We're aligned in that. Okay. So let's start off with question number one. What does a perfect day look like for you when you're not training or playing?
- [40:50]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
Yeah, it's like an off day. Perfect day for me. Really. I get to sleep in. I need to sleep in, get some, get some rest.
- [40:57]
Nanit Ad Announcer
I'll.
- [40:58]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
I'll call my family, usually away from my family. So I'll call my family, spend time with them. And then I always gotta get some good brunch. On an off day. I'm a brunch guy, so find a good spot that, that's got some pancakes. Get some eggs there and really just try. Try restaurants. On off days, I'm a big restaurant guy, so I'll go to different spots and really just try to get some good food. And always on an off day, I can't necessarily take an off day. So I'll go in, do recovery. So I'll still do my cold tub, hot tub, stretching, Normatex. Just do my normal routine that I typically do.
- [41:32]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
Yeah.
- [41:32]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
And then I'll go on a walk. I want to be outside. So really just explore, get some good weather in. Whether I'm with my girlfriend or parents, whoever I'm with, just spend time with them. And then video games. We got where we play a college football league with some of my guys at UConn. And really.
- [41:49]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
Okay.
- [41:49]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
Really just try to continue that league going and you know, it gets competitive so it's a lot of fun.
- [41:54]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
So who do you use if you're playing college football? Are you using UConn or using someone else? What's. What's the deal? What's the situation?
- [42:02]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
We all started out at Big ten schools, but you can't be like an Ohio State type of level school. So like you got to pick like a mid to bottom Big ten school. So I was at Northwestern. Northwestern and help them rebuild them, rebuilt
- [42:16]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
that organization from top down. I love it. That's awesome. You, you also mentioned Norma Tech. I've tried that a few times at physio and every single time I do it, I feel like I'm an NBA player. I feel like I'm. I'm gonna suit up for whatever team because it just looks so official. Also on top of that, you said brunch.
- [42:36]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
What's your.
- [42:37]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
What's your go to brunch meal. What's the selection? Because you know, brunches. Brunches. Both lunch and breakfast. What do you go to?
- [42:45]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
I'm more of a pancake guy, but it's not pancakes. I like the chicken and waffles. Just try to find some chicken and waffles. That's, that's, that's what hits. That's what hits the most.
- [42:54]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah. Oh, man. I have a couple of spots, but I'm not going to give them free promo right now. I'm not going to do it. Okay. What's something you believe about basketball that most people would disagree with you?
- [43:05]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
I believe about basketball.
- [43:08]
Ad Read Announcer
Yeah.
- [43:08]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Maybe something you believe about the game that maybe some people, Other people wouldn't agree with.
- [43:16]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
I truly think, I mean, I truly think it's the hardest sport and it just teaches people the most things. I think all the adversity you go through as a player through, you know, the highs and then the confidence lows of shooting slumps or losses, like, I just think you learn a lot and, and you're interacting with so many different teammates on a daily basis. I think, I think it's a unique sport in its own right. And, you know, I think obviously I'm biased towards it. I know people are going to be biased towards other sports, too, but I mean, I've just always believed that.
- [43:47]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
Yeah.
- [43:48]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
I mean, talking about kind of like the highs and lows, you've obviously been through many, many highs and you've obviously experienced lows in your time in UConn. I mean, how has that full experience with like a championship level college been for you personally?
- [44:05]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
It's been great. I mean, my first two years, you win a national championship and like, you're heading into your junior year not knowing what losing in March Madness feels like. So, yeah, really just going through all the highs and then a bunch of lows. I mean, you feel the pressure of 3p talk my junior year and then not necessarily having the year that you want and losing the second round. Like, you feel defeated in a way, just because it's your first time going through it. And by the time your senior year, you just have a greater appreciation and you're not entitled to having to win every time. You learn through the difficulties, you learn through the adversity of what my junior year felt like and put together a great senior year and, you know, ultimately being at the national championship game again, just falling short. So, you know, you're just grateful for every experience.
- [44:55]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah, I couldn't agree more, man. I can imagine that was, it's. It was an awesome experience for you. And I know given the history and how much you've cemented yourself at UConn, it must be difficult to say goodbye to that time of your life, right?
- [45:10]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
Oh, my God, it was extremely hard goodbye. I Mean, I love that place. And not just, like, the basketball of it, like, the fans, just the community of UConn, the campus. Just everything that came with UConn. Like, it was amazing, and it was tough saying goodbye. It was tough leaving campus officially. Yeah.
- [45:27]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah, I could imagine, man. I mean, this other question that I'm going to ask you, I feel like it's. It's related to your coach in a way, and Dan Hurley. So I'd love to get your opinion on this. What's. I'm going to tweak it. Okay. Because usually I would ask you, what's the best piece of advice you've gotten? And did you follow it right away? I'm going to tweak it and say, what's the best piece of advice Dan Hurley has given you? And did you follow it right away?
- [45:53]
Nanit Ad Announcer
Yeah.
- [45:53]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
I mean. I mean, Coach Hurley, he's gonna push you outside your comfort zone and really, like, mentally and physically challenge you throughout your career. So, like, I knew that would happen. But, like, the best advice was really, like, reading and meditating. Like, he was so big on that, and he's so big on the Zen, and just everything that comes with, like, treating yourself and, like, getting yourself prepared. And I never followed that. I never followed the reading. I never followed the meditating. And then now it's like, now senior year comes around, and I'm like, damn, like, maybe I should. So I started it, and I started meditating before every game for my senior year and just really controlling my breath work. So I definitely gotta say, that's been the most influential thing.
- [46:39]
Ad Read Announcer
You know what?
- [46:39]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
I'm not gonna lie to you. I wouldn't have thought of Zen when I first thought of Dan Hurley. Not gonna lie to you. That's, like, the opposite of what I would think. Where does that come from? Because he's so passionate when he's on the sideline. And, I mean, obviously you've seen, like, the viral clips and whatnot, but how does he stay Zen? What's. What's. What's the balance there?
- [47:01]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
I think on the court, he's willing to give everything every single time, and just he's truly himself every single day. And I think it really buys into his meditation and his end work to where he's able to coach and bring that intensity nonstop every time on the game. But then. Or game in practice, and then after, when that's over, he's back to his calm, cool, collected self that really just has a great relationship with everybody. So I think it's just his superpower Just how he's able to bring it every single day. And it obviously starts with all the work throughout his entire life that he's done on himself.
- [47:37]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah, I mean, it's, it's funny because on the NBA side, like, you hear guys liking certain types of coaches that get hard on them, like go hard and really coach them in the right way, or guys who are more like nurturing, if you will, it's kind of hard to balance those things. But I think from what you've seen and what we've heard of Dan Hurley, he does a really good job of both, right?
- [47:58]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
No, yeah, he does both. He does both. And, you know, if he were to be the guy that coached us hard every single day and then was hard on us off the court too, like, that's just hard.
- [48:08]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
That would be tough. Yeah.
- [48:09]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
But it's hard to build those relationships and that's just, you know, not necessarily, you know, good to be around. So, yeah, you know, it's great to do it on the core than off the court. I mean, he just does a great job of balancing it.
- [48:21]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah, of course. He.
- [48:22]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
He.
- [48:23]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
You. He coaches with a fire. You play with the fire. From, from what? Seeing, you know, what you've done in college. I have to ask you, what's something about you in your game that doesn't show up on the stat sheet or a highlight reel?
- [48:36]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
I think it's really just the iq, Just iq, just seeing the play before it develops, whether that's a pass or an extra pass or really defensive angles as well. Just playing with angles. Not necessarily always going to be the most athletic or quickest guy on the court, but you got to use their IQ out there just to, you know, make plays. Yeah, I think that. And just like the leadership as well. I mean, a lot of winning has came in my career and just using leadership is a big part of that. Just making sure the locker room set every single time after a hard practice or before a game and really just reinstructing what the team needs to do out there on the court and just echoing the coach's message every single time.
- [49:19]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah, well, I don't know if you know this, Alex, but I cover the Toronto Raptors. And a multi year guy who is on the Raptors is Jamal Shad. And he always talks about like the college experience, him being a multi year guy, like obviously going very far in the tournament, becoming a leader, how that shaped him coming into the NBA. Do you feel like the four year journey for you is sort of like the main quality that you can Bring to an NBA franchise is just being ready almost immediately when you jump in.
- [49:50]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
Yeah, I think that's the benefit of it. I mean, you're having four years of college where you're growing, you're becoming better as a player, naturally, but who you are as a person, too. How you're able to handle an NBA locker room, how you're able to handle an NBA season, the ups and downs that the NBA presents, like experienced guys and older players know how to balance that and how to, you know, maybe find a way to make an impact quicker, but also how to handle those lows when, you know, things might not be going your way. So I think it's extremely beneficial. We're leaving college the most ready and prepared as we can be and just really just embracing the NBA lifestyle now and just. I think it helps us, too, that we get to see our entire college journey pan out having no regrets whatsoever and really just give it our all in the college scheme and have no regrets with her.
- [50:41]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah, the nil deal also helps a little bit in that regard. No doubt. Okay, we already talked about this, but what is your guilty pleasure snack? Do you have a guilty pleasure snack? A cheat meal, if you will.
- [50:54]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
Cheat meal? Oh, I'm big on, like, chick fil A, so, like, I'll definitely, like, spam if that's a chick, if that's a cheat meal. So chick fil A. Wings. Big on wings. So we gotta. We got a couple good wing spots in Connecticut, so I'll definitely hit those up if I'm.
- [51:14]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Oh, you got to put me on. I've also heard there's fire pizza in Connecticut. Am I wrong in saying that? I've heard that's.
- [51:18]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
People are saying that's the pizza capital of the world. It's. It's up for debate, but I heard, like, New Haven has really good pizza, so. Yeah, yeah, yeah, Definitely got.
- [51:27]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Okay, I'll keep that on the list whenever I fly by. Okay. I have to ask you this also, and I really want you to think about this one. This is the trickiest question of all the questions that I'm gonna ask you. Are there more wheels in the world or doors in the world?
- [51:44]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
More wheels or doors? And are we counting a door as,
- [51:47]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
like, you can count whatever you like, man. The world is your oyster. You can decide whatever you want.
- [51:55]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
I think wheels.
- [51:57]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Okay, what's your rationale? What do you think?
- [52:00]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
Obviously, the amount of cars, planes, all that motorcycles. That makes sense. So, like, that's already a lot. But I think people could tend to forget like the wheels on a chair in the office. The wheels.
- [52:12]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
True.
- [52:12]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
The wheels on, you know, different cabinets or like furniture. Furniture wheels, yeah.
- [52:18]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Even some doors got wheels. That's a good point. That's a really good point.
- [52:20]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
Counting toys. Counting toys, whether it's car toys or, you know, little. Little toddler things as well. Definitely. Those are wheels. You count it?
- [52:31]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
Yeah.
- [52:32]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
You know, a little kid's car too. They drive like a little Lamborghini. Those are wheels.
- [52:36]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
Yeah.
- [52:36]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
The doors. The doors. There's plenty of doors. I mean, there's plenty of buildings. Plenty of, you know, rooms, floors, all that stuff. I don't know if you count like a closet door as a door, so. Really?
- [52:48]
Foreign Language Ad Announcer
Yeah.
- [52:48]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
What about a cupboard? That's my thing. If a cupboard counts, then it's a different story, you know, it is a
- [52:52]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
different story, but yeah. Anyways, these are stuck on wheels. I don't know why. Like a truck, like an 18 wheeler or whatever that is like true wheels
- [53:00]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
that they don't even use, you know.
- [53:02]
Nanit Ad Announcer
Exactly.
- [53:03]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
I agree with you. I think I'm with you on this one.
- [53:05]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
Okay.
- [53:06]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
If you could add one skill from any current NBA player to your game, whose would it be and why?
- [53:17]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
Any skill. I've always been a big fan of Jrue Holiday's defense. I think if I could have that, that just, I mean, defense is going to get you on the court in the NBA, how you could affect defending. I mean, there's so many stars out there that have their unique talents that, you know, you could always lean on them and trust them. But I think if you could go out there, defend and find some way to impact the game, you know, that's something I try to steal. So definitely just continue to get better on the defensive end. And I've always been a huge fan of Drew Holiday. Just watching him throughout his career and just how elite he's been on that end.
- [53:50]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah, and he's. I mean, he's another guy who is well known as like one of the best leaders and like character guys in the league. So it feels like that bleeds into to how he plays on the court. Do you feel like you have a comp? Like, I don't know if that's something scouts or anything ask you, but is that. Do you feel like you have a computer?
- [54:07]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
I mean, a couple of people have told me like, I've always grown up with like the Kevin Love comparisons. Someone's shoe does the little things and just helps the team win. Bogdanovich, just like craftiness. Sam Houser, people have compared. So definitely A couple comparisons.
- [54:23]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Just.
- [54:24]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
I'd say like a mix of people while just trying to be myself.
- [54:28]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah, no, no doubt. Also, Kevin Love. It's just the beard, dude. You know, you got the beard now. That's. They're giving you the comps there.
- [54:36]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
I'll take it.
- [54:37]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
I'll take.
- [54:39]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
If you could pick one superpower to have, what would it be and why?
- [54:43]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
What's superpower?
- [54:45]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah.
- [54:47]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
Teleportation. I don't know why. I just want to teleport. Just go to different places. It's saves me time if I want to see one of my friends cross country. Let me just see him real quick, then teleport back.
- [54:59]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
Yes.
- [55:00]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
Family, all that stuff. I think teleportation. I'm big on time. I'm trying to save time. Just be efficient with my time and I'm with you.
- [55:07]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah.
- [55:08]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
I think teleportation, that's what I need.
- [55:10]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah. I don't know if you ever watch dragon ball, but they have elite teleportation in dragon ball. Press the button and yeah, you're on automatically. There would be fire. It would be cool. Okay. If you could have a walkout song every time you subbed into a game. You know how they do it in baseball where the closing pitcher will come in, have a walkout song. What would your song be?
- [55:34]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
So we did that for like, we'd have like a softball game at UConn. And I always. I'd always do this is How We Roll by Florida Georgia Line. I'm a big country guy, so I like that. But then now I gotta think of, like a song that, like, correlates with me. So there's probably like a Drake. There's probably like a Drake song out there that correlates with me, so.
- [55:55]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Wow.
- [55:55]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
Okay, so song.
- [55:57]
Taylor (Total Soccer Show Host)
Yeah.
- [55:57]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Okay. I don't know. Hotline? Blink?
- [55:59]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
I don't know.
- [55:59]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
I. I can't. I can't think of a Drake's. Damn, this is terrible. Me, a Toronto man, not being able to think of a.
- [56:05]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
Put you on the spot right there.
- [56:06]
CJ Moore (College Basketball Analyst)
Yeah, you did.
- [56:07]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
You cooked me. Alex. Dan. That's crazy. Okay, this is that. We're calling this the NBA Daily question. Okay. What's something that you do daily that's not basketball related? Daily, Every single day.
- [56:19]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
Read. I've been reading. Reading every single day. Just lately I've been reading the Coach Hurley book that he came out. I saved it towards, like, when I'm gone because, you know, I've been missing him now. So I've been reading the coach early books, so. But I like to read. I like to read. I like to play Sudoku too. So, like, every flight that I'm on, I'm playing.
- [56:37]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Cool.
- [56:38]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
I'm playing a couple Sudoku games and I've always been big into numbers and math and, you know, I just, I just find it cool. I like puzzles and Sudoku's just kind of been the game for me.
- [56:49]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah, you're built different because I never know how to play Sudoku. I have all of the New York Times app games. I played 95% of them except Sudoku. Also reading. What do you read outside of the Dan Hurley book? Because great plug, but what else do you read?
- [57:06]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
No, great plug, great plug for sure, but definitely mindset books, motivation books. Just stuff that could help sharpen who I am as a person.
- [57:16]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Yeah, absolutely, man. Alex, we appreciate you as always. Best of luck with the entire draft process, prospect and process that's going to be happening. I know this is all going to be such a big moment for you in your career and your life, so enjoy and relish every part of it. We appreciate you coming on, man. Thank you very much and best of luck.
- [57:38]
Alex Cariban (UConn Basketball Player)
Thank you. Likewise. And thank you guys for having me.
- [57:41]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Of course. Thank you.
- [57:46]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
Thanks for listening.
- [57:47]
Ad Read Announcer
Make sure you hit the subscribe or follow button so you never miss an
- [57:51]
John Hollinger (NBA Analyst)
episode if you enjoyed it, drop a like leave a rating or let us know in the comments.
- [57:55]
Host (NBA Draft Coverage)
Thank you guys for waking up with us.
- [58:07]
Foreign Language Ad Announcer
Grainger knows when you're a procurement manager for an office park, you're not managing one building. You're managing all of them. And to stay ahead, you need to see through walls and around corners. Lights about to fail, Filters ready to clog. H Vac on its last leg. If you wait until something breaks, you're already behind. Count on Grainger for quality products, easy reordering and 24. 7 support. Call 1-800-Grainger click granger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
- [58:37]
Ad Read Announcer
It's smart to always have a few financial goals and a really smart one. You can set earning cash back on what you buy every day. And with Discover, you can get this. Discover automatically matches all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year. Seriously, all of it. And we trust you to make smart decisions. After all, you listen to this show. See terms@discover.com credit card hey everybody, this
- [59:01]
Taylor (Total Soccer Show Host)
is Taylor from the Total Soccer show, and this episode is brought to you by Hotels.com the Summer of Soccer is right around the corner, and if you aren't using hotels.com to book the experience of a lifetime, it's worth asking why? As a member, you save up to 20% on hundreds of thousands of hotels around the world and earn rewards on every single stay. Which means the trips you're taking now help pay for the ones you're already dreaming about. So whether you're following your team across North America this summer, or planning a well earned escape after being glued to football for weeks on end, make sure you book on hotels.com and start earning rewards. Because when it comes to hotels, it's all in the name. Hotels dot com.