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Brandon Clarke and Rui Hachimura are two of the 15 players who have received invitations to the NBA Draft Green Room, Jonathan Givony reported today.
3 more players have been invited to the Green Room, sources say
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 12, 2019
Brandon Clarke, PJ Washington, Rui Hachimura.
15 players have now received invites (Zion, Ja, Barrett, Garland, Culver, Hunter, Coby White, Reddish, Jaxson Hayes, Little, Langford, Herro) with 5 more still coming. https://t.co/ulPX5sV6zn
In total, Givony expects roughly 20 players to receive invitations. This is good news for both Hachimura and Clarke. The green room is the staging area in front of the draft podium where the players await to hear their names called by commissioner Adam Silver.
The NBA determines which players to invite to the green room by talking with the general managers of teams picking in the first round. Although an appearance in the green room does not necessarily mean players are guaranteed a high pick, the NBA is not interested in leaving the athletes sitting and waiting until the second round. Generally speaking, a green room invitation is only a good sign.
Both Clarke and Hachimura have bounced all over the draft boards depending on which site you are looking at, anywhere from No. 10 to No. 20.
In 2017, the Zags hit a new school record with both Zach Collins and Nigel Williams-Goss hearing their names called. 2019 will be the new school record of most Gonzaga athletes drafted in the first round, however, so there is a reason to tune in for Gonzaga fans.