local
NBA draft finishes up in New York, where some second-round picks are revered
By BRIAN MAHONEY, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· June 25, 2026
· 1 min read
NEW YORK (AP) — Some of New York's biggest basketball heroes were second-round draft picks. Like Jalen Brunson, the guy marching through Manhattan with the Larry O'Brien Trophy in his arms last week during a joyous championship parade celebration. And Willis Reed, the guy who limped onto the floo...
Key takeaway Like Jalen Brunson, the guy marching through Manhattan with the Larry O'Brien Trophy in his arms last week during a joyous championship parade celebration.
Why this matters in The McAllen
The NBA draft's conclusion in New York brings to mind the Valley's own basketball enthusiasts, who closely follow the careers of underdog players like Jalen Brunson and Willis Reed. In McAllen , where community support for local sports teams is strong, the stories of these second-round picks can inspire young athletes striving to make a name for themselves. The Rio Grande Valley is home to a thriving basketball scene, with schools and community centers offering programs for kids to develop their skills. As the new NBA season approaches, Valley residents will be watching to see how their favorite teams and players perform, and perhaps drawing motivation from the examples of Brunson and Reed, who proved that success is not solely determined by draft position. The local basketball community may also be looking for opportunities to bring NBA talent to the Valley, potentially through camps or exhibitions, to further foster a love of the game among young players.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NEW YORK (AP) — Some of New York's biggest basketball heroes were second-round draft picks. Like Jalen Brunson, the guy marching through Manhattan with the Larry O'Brien Trophy in his arms last week during a joyous championship parade celebration. And Willis Reed, the guy who limped onto the floo...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by BRIAN MAHONEY, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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