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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Blake Schuster

2023 Nikola Jokic All-Taco Bell Team: 9 players selected during NBA Draft commercials

June 26, 2014 was a monumental day for fans of both the NBA and Taco Bell.

Not only was Nikola Jokic — a now two-time MVP, NBA champion and NBA Finals MVP — drafted by the Denver Nuggets, but the Quesarito appeared on the menu at Taco Bells everywhere. And in one of the most magical moments in fast food/basketball history, the two icons overlapped with the league announcing Jokic’s selection during a commercial for the quesadilla-burrito hybrid and linked them forever.

On Thursday night, ESPN made a notably concerted effort to ensure every draft pick was highlighted, even if they were announced while the broadcast was at break. But there were still a number of second-rounders who saw their name called during a commercial.

 

Perhaps the next Jokic — or Quesarito — is among them. There’s certainly the potential for a sponsorship deal if any of these players become All-Stars. So to memorialize the biggest night of their lives, we humbly present the 2023 Nikola Jokic All-Taco Bell Team.

Congratulations to these nine players drafted while ESPN cut to commercial.

Pick No. 38: Jordan Walsh (Sacramento), espnW/Hellmann's

via ESPN

This had to be a little infuriating and confusing for Jordan Walsh. Right as the graphic announcing the No. 38 pick was about to show his name on the bottom ticker, it disappeared from the screen as a commercial for Hellmann’s mayonnaise came on. The last screengrab available before then was a commercial for espnW.

Further complicating matters was the fact the pick was already traded to Boston. So while it showed Sacramento making the selection, Walsh was really drafted on behalf of the Celtics.

Pick No. 40: Maxwell Lewis (Denver), PNC Bank

via ESPN

A solid advertisement for a player who is about to make bank by a team with good fortune when it comes to drafting during a commercial break. But the pick was also traded, so instead of heading to the Nuggets, Lewis is on his way to the Lakers.

Pick No. 45: Gregory Jackson II (Memphis), Jeep

via ESPN

GG Jackson waited much longer than expected to see his name on TV. At least it came during a commercial for the new Jeep Gladiator, which hopefully means he’ll be gifted one of those soon enough.

Pick No. 47: Mojave King (Los Angeles Lakers), Dr. Pepper Strawberries and Cream

via ESPN

Picked by the Lakers on behalf of the Pacers. King will be reminded of this moment wherever Dr. Pepper is sold.

Pick No. 53: Jaylen Clark (Minnesota), Gatorade

via ESPN

If you can’t hear your name called from the stage, getting drafted during a Gatorade commercial while “Like Mike” plays has to be the absolute best result possible.

Clark narrowly avoided disaster, too. Because this commercial ended two seconds after his name was shown on screen and the one that followed was much less flattering.

Pick No. 54: Jaylen Slawson (Sacramento), DirecTV

via ESPN

Jalen Slawson getting picked during a DirecTV commercial might mean he’s destined to become must-see TV. Getting drafted while Logan Roy is on screen might mean Slawson is destined to strike it very, very rich.

Pick No. 55: Isaiah Wong (Indiana), T-Mobile

via ESPN

Hopefully Wong never has to pay a phone bill again.

Pick No. 56: Tarik Biberovic (Memphis), State Farm

via ESPN

It was inevitable State Farm would air a commercial during a draft pick. Lock of the night besides Victor Wembanyama going No. 1 overall.

Pick No. 57: Trayce Jackson-Davis (Washington), Hilton

via ESPN

Jackson-Davis was actually picked by Washington on behalf of Golden State. Considering how expensive rent is in San Francisco, a Hilton commercial makes all the sense in the world here.

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