Jazz Introduce Second-Round Draft Picks Brantley, Wright-Foreman, Oni

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz formally introduced their three second-round draft picks to the media Thursday afternoon.

Jazz draftees Jarrell Brantley, Justin Wright-Foreman and Miye Oni, seated atop a trio of stools at the Zions Bank Basketball Campus, met the media and took questions for the first time as potential Utah players.

One thing was clear from the beginning of the press conference, Wright-Foreman is the comedian of the group.

“The mountains are beautiful, the mountains are beautiful,” said Wright-Foreman with a booming, intentionally monotone delivery that drew laughs from the media when asked how was enjoyed being in the Beehive State.

The newest Jazzmen introduce themselves to the Utah media. pic.twitter.com/jWfeEWvGYH

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 27, 2019

The former Hofstra guard later claimed that despite sitting next to a former Yale man in Oni, that he was the smartest guy in the group. The softer-spoken Oni jokingly conceded the title.

While the three players had demonstrated dramatically different personality types in the press conference, they all share one thing in common; coming from mid-major programs, they’re here with something to prove.

“Extra motivation is an understatement,” said Wright-Foreman. “If I could speak for all of us here, we’re just here with a chip on our shoulder and we work like it every day.”

Oni, who was picked with the 58^th overall pick in the draft, agreed with the energetic Wright-Foreman.

“A lot of us were under-recruited and maybe overlooked so we just try to put the most we can into every day,” said Oni.

Here’s some info on Jarrell Brantley, Justin Wright-Foreman and Miye Oni.https://t.co/4kU961CZ7h pic.twitter.com/ah1vWx1RQF

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 27, 2019

While they all were selected in the NBA Draft last week, they all know that making the roster is no sure thing. Players that get selected near the end of the rookie selection process typically have to fight to make the team. Often times, players drafted in the 50s – like all three players that the Jazz took – never play a minute in the league.

In Utah’s case, all three players have a better chance of making the team than they would on most other NBA teams. With Jazz experiencing a bit of a roster turnover, the team is going to need some inexpensive labor. That’s likely why management moved to acquire two additional picks in the second round.

Brantley realizes that he and his fellow draftees have a unique opportunity with the Jazz.

The @utahjazz are planning on introducing their 3 second round draft picks this afternoon at the Zions Bank Basketball Campus. https://t.co/4kU961CZ7h pic.twitter.com/z3SD35uyQn

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 27, 2019

“I think it’s truly a blessing,” said the former Charleston star. “Number one, this organization, you can tell they do a really good job of focus on each player’s development and you can tell they hand-picked each one of us because of our growth through our college career.”

Chemistry could have something to do with it as well. While they played against each other often in the Colonial Athletic Association, Brantley and Wright-Foreman also played together in a 3-on-3 tournament in college, which they won.

They became close friends through that experience and were thrilled to be reunited in Utah. When Brantley was chosen with the No. 50 pick, the first person to call was Wright-Foreman. When Wright-Foreman went to the Jazz with the 53^rd selection, a very excited Brantley called him back.

Joe Ingles played with a hurt finger almost all season last year and may need surgery to fix it, according to an Australian news source. https://t.co/ZGKwGchKet

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 27, 2019

It took about an hour for the excitement that surrounded them to cool off but when they finally connected on draft night, it was a memorable moment for the two former rivals and teammates turned teammates again.

Less than a week into their time in Utah, the trio made it clear that they’re happy to be with the team. They’ve already met a few of their potential teammates who are in town to work out. Mike Conley, who is not yet an official member of the Jazz, followed Oni on Instagram.

They made a great impression with the media with their unity and charm. Not to mention, they shook hands with each media member at the conclusion of the press conference.

Not a bad start for all three.