The rain was tapping against the window of my favorite coffee shop in downtown Portland, the kind of steady drizzle that makes you want to curl up with a good story. I was scrolling through old game highlights on my tablet, the familiar sounds of squeaking sneakers and roaring crowds filling my headphones. My eyes landed on a clip from the 2019 NBA Draft—Zion Williamson’s explosive debut, Ja Morant’s gravity-defying dunks, RJ Barrett’s smooth drives to the basket. It felt like just yesterday I’d stayed up late to watch the draft, scribbling notes on a napkin about which picks would shape the next decade of basketball. Now, five years later, I found myself wondering: looking back at the 2019 NBA draft class, where are they now?
I remember thinking back then that this class had a certain rhythm to it—some players exploded onto the scene right away, while others took their time finding their footing. It reminds me of something I once heard a coach say during a post-game interview, something that stuck with me: "Ganun talaga, sometimes slow, sometimes very fast yung umpisa, hindi natin masabi. Basta, as long as we get those points one point at a time, malaking bagay na yun sa’min." That phrase, loosely translated from Filipino, captures the essence of how careers unfold—sometimes slow, sometimes fast, but every point matters. And boy, does it apply to this draft class. Take Zion, for instance. He burst onto the scene like a supernova, averaging 22.5 points per game in his rookie year and drawing comparisons to LeBron James. But injuries slowed him down, and now, after missing significant chunks of seasons, he’s working his way back, one game at a time. It’s a reminder that early hype doesn’t always guarantee a smooth ride.
Then there’s Ja Morant, the second overall pick. I’ll admit, I’ve always had a soft spot for his fearless style—the way he attacks the rim as if gravity is just a suggestion. He led the Grizzlies to playoff appearances in 2021 and 2022, putting up stats like 27.4 points and 6.7 assists per game in the 2022 season. But his journey hasn’t been without bumps, either. Off-court controversies have overshadowed some of his brilliance, and it’s made me reflect on how quickly things can change. That coach’s words echo in my mind: the start can be unpredictable, but it’s the steady accumulation of effort that defines a career. Ja’s resilience, bouncing back from suspensions and leading his team, shows that growth isn’t always linear.
But let’s not forget the quieter stories, like Darius Garland, picked fifth by the Cavaliers. He didn’t have the flashy debut some expected—his rookie year was a bit of a struggle, averaging just 12.3 points. Yet, fast forward to 2023, and he’s an All-Star, orchestrating Cleveland’s offense with precision. It’s those gradual climbs that I find most inspiring. I remember watching a game last season where he dished out 15 assists in a single night, and it hit me: this is what that phrase is all about. One point, one play at a time, building something meaningful.
Of course, not every pick panned out as hoped. Remember Jarrett Culver, the sixth selection? He’s bounced around teams, struggling to find his role, and it’s a stark contrast to later steals like Tyler Herro, who went 13th and has become a clutch scorer for the Heat, averaging over 20 points a game in the 2022-23 season. It’s funny how the draft works—some guys shine immediately, while others need time to simmer. As a fan, I’ve learned to appreciate the underdogs, the ones who grind it out in the G League or overseas, because you never know when they’ll break through.
Sipping my coffee, I thought about how this class has reshaped the league. Players like Matisse Thybulle, known for his defensive prowess, or Jordan Poole, who went from a late first-rounder to a key piece in Golden State’s 2022 championship run, illustrate the diversity of paths. Poole, in particular, went from averaging 8.8 points as a rookie to 20.4 in the 2022-23 season—a testament to patience and hard work. It’s easy to get caught up in the instant stars, but the real magic is in the long game. That’s why, when I look back at the 2019 NBA draft class, I see more than just stats and highlights. I see a tapestry of journeys, each with its own pace and pitfalls, much like life itself. And as the rain outside finally let up, I couldn’t help but feel excited for what’s next—because in basketball, as in that wise coach’s words, every small step counts, and the story is far from over.