During Thursday evening's NBA draft, Swedish basketball history was written.
Two Swedes – Bobi Klintman and Pelle Larsson – were both drafted in the second round.
It means everything, says Klintman in ESPN's broadcast.
Previously, only three Swedes have been drafted in total, Jonas Jerebko (39th, 2009), Jeffery Taylor (31st, 2012), and Marcus Eriksson (50th, 2015). Never before have two Swedes been drafted in the same year.
Until now.
Snubbed in the first round
Swede Bobi Klintman was drafted by Minnesota Timberwolves as 37th, but according to American ESPN, he is expected to be traded directly to Detroit Pistons. Thus, he becomes the second-highest drafted Swede ever.
The 21-year-old was highly ranked before the draft and seemed to have a chance to be drafted in the first round. But it didn't happen, and Klintman had to wait a few extra hours before the news finally came that he had been drafted.
It means everything. To be a role model for the kids and do it for the country and the city I come from. It's enormous and it's all I've ever wanted to do, says Klintman in ESPN's broadcast.
About half an hour later, it was time for the next Swede to be presented in the draft.
23-year-old Pelle Larsson was drafted as 44th by Houston Rockets, but like Klintman, Larsson is expected to be traded directly to Miami Heat.
"That's what you love to see"
Jonas Jerebko, who was drafted by Detroit Pistons, sent his congratulations to the two Swedes who were recently drafted to the world's best basketball league.
"Congratulations to Bobi Klintman and welcome to the fine state of Michigan. I look forward to seeing you get started", Jerebko wrote on X to Klintman and then added a greeting to Larsson.
"Congratulations Pelle Larsson on the draft and on joining Miami Heat. That's what you love to see."
Thus, the duo wrote Swedish basketball history when two Swedes were drafted in the same year. Klintman previously played his basketball in Australian Cairns Taipans. Pelle Larsson, on the other hand, has played college basketball in Arizona Wildcats.
