With the announcement of the final No. 1 overall pick, the draft order for each team was officially revealed.
Teams with high draft picks wasted no time in sending out invitations for trial workouts to the rookies they were targeting.
These invitations were made public, such as the Boston Celtics' approach.
The Celtics only invited perimeter players to their workouts, making their intentions clear.
On their tryout list were prominent names like:
Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, Kerry Kittles
To leave no stone unturned, they even extended an invitation to high school sensation Kobe Bryant.
This move showed the Celtics' strong focus on selecting a perimeter player in the draft.
By taking these actions, Celtics' legendary coach Red Auerbach effectively sent a message to the league:
"We're only interested in drafting a perimeter player!"
With such transparency, Auerbach made it clear they wouldn't pursue other positions.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Grizzlies, who held the coveted No. 1 overall pick, were in the most comfortable position.
They only invited two players for workouts:
Allen Iverson, the electrifying guard from Georgetown.Alex Mo, is his equally talented Georgetown teammate.
Other prospects, such as Stephon Marbury and Marcus Camby, didn't even make the Grizzlies' shortlist.
Holding the No. 1 pick meant the Grizzlies could afford to be selective and confident in their approach.
The tryout results of the "Georgetown Twins" exceeded expectations, leaving the Grizzlies' management highly impressed.
Alex Mo's athleticism was beyond doubt—his physical gifts weren't just a result of NCAA-level competition; they were generational, even by NBA standards.
Meanwhile, Iverson's offensive prowess proved undeniable, convincing the front office that he could average over 20 points per game as a rookie in the NBA.
"Mo, I swear you've grown taller again!"
At the measuring station, Iverson looked up at his towering friend.
"You're pushing 2.13 meters (7 feet), aren't you?"
Alex Mo laughed, "Shouldn't be. We'll know once they measure."
Taking off his shoes, his barefoot height came in at 211.5 cm (6'11"), and with shoes, he stood nearly 2.13 meters (7 feet)!
Iverson's observation was spot on—Mo had indeed grown taller.
"You grew that much, and you thought I wouldn't notice?"
Mo glanced at his measurement sheet, paying no attention to other metrics except for his height.
Iverson grinned and patted his friend's head. "If you ever shrink, I'll be the first to notice."
Mo chuckled, "Don't worry, Al, that's not happening."
As the rookie workouts continued across the league, the Celtics' phone lines were buzzing non-stop.
Auerbach used every connection he had built over the years, exploring trade possibilities for the No. 1 pick.
Since a direct trade with the Grizzlies was unlikely, the Celtics sought a third-party team to facilitate a deal.
Meanwhile, Lakers GM Jerry West was in constant contact with the Grizzlies' front office.
He proposed a trade package featuring star guards Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones for the No. 1 pick.
The logic was simple:
A No. 1 pick could turn into a future superstar... or a bust. Trading for two proven young stars seemed like a safer bet.
However, Grizzlies GM Stu Jackson rejected the offer.
While West's proposal was compelling, Jackson wanted to wait and see if better offers would come before draft day.
The value of the No. 1 pick was immense, and Jackson aimed to maximize it.
June 16th – Father's Day.
This date holds special significance in NBA history.
Some believe the Bulls lost two games in the Finals after winning three straight due to Gary Payton's defense on Michael Jordan.
Others claim the Bulls intentionally closed out the series on Father's Day as a tribute to Jordan's late father.
Regardless of the reasons, the Bulls secured their championship that day, capping off their historic 72-10 season.
After the victory, Jordan collapsed in the locker room, sobbing in his Air Jordan 11s—an image that remains one of the NBA's most iconic moments.
June 28, 1996 – NBA Draft Day.
East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The fate of 58 rookie players was about to change forever.
Why 58?
Because the NBA had only 29 teams at the time, and with two rounds, the total number of picks was 58.
Alex Mo couldn't help but reflect on the significance of this number as he sat in the Green Room.
At the draft venue, anticipation was at an all-time high.
"Today, the NBA family will welcome 58 new talents!"
On ESPN, the draft analysts pointed out:
"The Vancouver Grizzlies only worked out two players—Allen Iverson and Alex Mo."
"Alex Mo, notably, is the first Chinese player in NBA history to be invited to the Green Room."
Reports suggested the Grizzlies were leaning toward selecting Mo as the first overall pick, which would make him the first-ever Chinese No. 1 pick in NBA history.
The cameras frequently panned to Mo's table, where he sat alongside Iverson, their families, and Georgetown coach John Thompson.
Before the announcement, former college rivals came by to greet them.
"We meet again, Mo, Al."
Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, and Marcus Camby stopped by to exchange pleasantries.
Marbury grinned, "Our rivalry isn't over yet. I'm coming for revenge in the NBA!"
Mo smiled in response but remained focused.
Even young high school phenom Kobe Bryant stopped by, offering a handshake and words of encouragement.
"Mo, Al, it'll be fun going up against you guys at the next level."
Iverson laughed, "Kobe, I knew you were special back in Lower Merion. Now you're here too!"
As the jokes and camaraderie continued, the draft was ready to begin.
NBA Commissioner David Stern walked to the podium and, in his signature voice, began the draft.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 1996 NBA Draft."
As he opened the envelope for the first pick:
"With the first pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, the Vancouver Grizzlies select—"
"Alex Mo! From Georgetown University!"