Dalano Banton’s family members were frantically texting each other in their WhatsApp group chat, trying to get a hold of him.
There were about 10 of them, and they were absolutely jubilant. Banton’s name was just called out on NBA draft night in July, selected in the second round by his hometown Toronto Raptors.
His uncle Kashane Dennis, watching at a draft party in Toronto, shouted “I called it,” while others were screaming with delight.
Banton, in Chicago with his mentor, was so overcome with emotion by the moment, his uncle said it looked like his nephew was about to cry when he finally reached him.