Regina Glenn-Speights and her daughter, Willena, sat in the middle of their living room floor waiting to hear their son and brother's name called.
Then when Marreese Speights was the 16th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers a mass conglomerate of hands reached out to shake Marreese's hand, and he kept his composure. But as he looked over at his mother and sister, tears started to trickle.
"I can't remember the last time I saw Marreese cry," Glenn-Speights said.
This was certainly an understandable time to leak a few tears. With around 70 people in his grandmothers' house in St. Petersburg, ranging from family to AAU coaches to Florida Gators teammate Walter Hodge, getting your official invite to the NBA was a lot to take in.
"He broke down," Willena said of her brother when he got drafted. "My baby brother who I beat up when I was little is now a professional basketball player."
It'd be pretty hard to beat up the 6-foot-10, 240 pound big man now. Especially since people have said he's improved his conditioning and strength, which was criticized during his time in Gainesville.
It was right around where most thought Speights would be picked, and the 76ers were one of the rumored teams that were most interested in Speights. A best case scenario would have probably been going 15th to the Phoenix Suns.
Philadelphia, a surprise playoff team last season, should offer Speights an opportunity to play right away. The 76ers start Samuel Dalembert at center, and also have Reggie Evans and Jason Smith, a first rounder in 2007, as their other big men but are thin up front otherwise. Philly also plays Thaddeus Young, their lottery pick in 2007, at the power forward position, but Young fits more in the small forward/power forward slot while Speights is a power forward/center.
"I'm elated for Marreese and his family," UF men's basketball coach Billy Donovan said in a statement. "I know this is a special moment for him and I'm extremely proud of Marreese. He's joining a fantastic organization and I wish him all the best as he continues his playing career at the next level."
Speights averaged more than 14 points and eight rebounds a game last season for the Gators, his only year of significant playing time. A year that he's very glad he had now, because his bank account will be thanking him in a few months. And that bank account will help him support his mom now, which is one of the benefactors that caused Speights to leave early.
"He loves his momma," Glenn-Speights said. "He's seen the struggles I've went through. He's a little momma's boy.
"I'm feeling blessed. He's worked hard. Going through all the obstacles, it's overwhelming for me."
Next in line for Speights is the Vegas Summer League, which will be held from July 11-20.
"He's there, the sky's the limit," Willena said. "He can make it. I'm just proud of him."
