Anthony Edwards paid tribute to his mother and grandmother. Onyeka Okongwu recalled his brother. Obi Toppin thought about coming home.

Tears flowed freely for those and many more players Wednesday night when their long-awaited, repeatedly delayed NBA dreams were finally realized.

Edwards was taken by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the No. 1 pick in an NBA draft delayed multiple times because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Commissioner Adam Silver announced the pick from ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. The draft was originally scheduled for June 25 before multiple delays caused by the virus pushed it back out and out of its usual home at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Boxes of hats were shipped to the top prospects to put on the one they needed after their name was called.

Edwards watched while seated next to portraits of his late mother and grandmother. They both died of cancer.

1. Minnesota, Anthony Edwards, g, Georgia.2. Golden State, James Wiseman, c, Memphis.3. Charlotte, LaMelo Ball, g, Chino Hills, Calif.4. Chicago, Patrick Williams, f, Florida State.5. Cleveland, Isaac Okoro, f, Auburn.6. Atlanta, Onyeka Okongwu, c, USC.7. Detroit, Killian Hayes, g, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany).8. New York, Obi Toppin, f, Dayton.9. Washington, Deni Avdija, f, Maccabi Tel Aviv U18 (Israel).10. Phoenix, Jalen Smith, f, Maryland.11. San Antonio, Devin Vassell, g, Florida State.12. Sacramento, Tyrese Haliburton, g, Iowa State.13. New Orleans, Kira Lewis, Jr., g, Alabama.14. Boston, Aaron Nesmith, f, Vanderbilt.15. Orlando, Cole Anthony, g, North Carolina.16. Portland, Isaiah Stewart II, c, Washington.17.Minnesota (from Brooklyn via Atlanta), Aleksej Pokusevski, f, Olympiacos U18 (Greece).18. Dallas, Josh Green, g, Arizona.19. Brooklyn (from Philadelphia via LA Clippers), Saddiq Bey, f, Villanova.20. Miami, Precious Achiuwa, f, Memphis.