The NBA Is Sending First-Round Prospects a 'Gift Locker' for Virtual Draft

Because of the pandemic, last year’s NFL draft took place virtually, and first-round prospects received a box containing 32 hats—one for each potential franchise they’d play for. When their names were called, they’d pop on the corresponding hat just like they would on draft day, but there was no photo with Roger Goodell.

Things are largely going to be the same for NBA prospects for tonight’s draft. But, in addition to getting a set of New Era draft hats just like the NFL players, they’ll get a whole branded gift “locker” that looks a lot like those NCAA Bowl Game gift suites.

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According to Open Court Basketball, the NBA Draft Gifting Locker going to 30 prospects includes:

• 30 New Era hats

• A personalized Spalding basketball
• A Beats Pill portable speaker
• Beats Studio3 wireless headphones
• Beats Flex Wireless Earphones
• An Oculus 2 headset
• A Microsoft Surface tablet
• Beats Powerbeats Pro earbuds
• An iPhone and tripod

• A ring light

That’s a pretty substantial haul, and has everything they need to stage the event from their home. They can film themselves getting drafted and celebrating with the iPhone mounted on a tripod. They’ll get that good lighting with the ring light. The can jam out to something celebratory with the Beats Pill. And, of course, they can throw on the hat of their new franchise.

It’s a cool gift set for the players, and it does a lot to take away some of the sting of missing out on a big party. But, it’s even smarter on the NBA’s behalf, since it ensures good video quality for the event, which was originally scheduled to take place earlier this year at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn. This basically ensures that the televised event will still look good broadcasted from the homes of the next generation of NBA stars.

Obviously the NBA has some money to throw around, but it’s something to look at for future hybrid or online events, as speakers will want ways to film their presentations or host Q&A sessions.