2016 NBA Draft

Smiles were plentiful as the four newest members of the Denver Nuggets – Jamal Murray, Juan Hernangomez, Malik Beasley and Petr Cornelie – walked into their first NBA press conference to be introduced to the Denver media.

The Nuggets drafted to fill a big need on their roster – outside shooting – and outside shooting they got. All four players will be able to stretch the floor and be able to help open up the lane for a Nuggets team that ranked 25th in three-point percentage in the 2015-16 regular season.

“Obviously I can help with shooting on the perimeter,” Murray said. “I can open the game up for everybody else [with my shooting too].”

Beyond the percentages and on-court acumen, people around the Nuggets organization just couldn’t stop talking about the content of this group’s character.

“We’re unbelievably fortunate to have all four of these guys,” Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly said. “It’s exciting to see these four faces in our building. Beyond the obvious basketball tools these guys have, I think as you get to know [them], [you] will see their work ethic, their character, their families. These are the type of guys that you can feel trustworthy [about] and you can build with. It’s a very exciting day.”

Each of the rookies then took turns expressing their gratitude and excitement of being in Denver and reality of being drafted into the NBA.

Hernangomez echoed his draft night gratefulness.

“I want to say thank you to the coach, the GM, [the front office] who drafted me,” Hernangomez said. "I’m really happy to be here and I’m really excited to give the fans what they want and that’s to win games.”

Cornelie’s comments were short and sweet.

“I’m just really happy to be here.”

Beasley was still basking in the moment but knows the real work is yet to be done.

“For me, it was my first time in Denver,” Beasley said. “Seeing all the Nuggets logos and meeting all the coaches and staff, that’s when it really hit me.

“But we know it’s business time and we’re all going to work together to make this [franchise] better.”

If this first introduction to these four rookies is any indication, they will be just as good off the court as they are on it.

Nuggets' draft picks Jamal Murray, Juan Hernangomez, Malik Beasley and Petr Cornelie arrive in Denver for the first time.

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Mile Wide Smiles

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2016 Draft Pick Introductory Press Conference Gallery

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2016 Nuggets Draft Party Gallery

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Draft Night Gallery: Juan Hernangomez

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Draft Night Gallery: Malik Beasley

On draft night, the Denver Nuggets added a little more international flavor to the team. With the No. 15 pick in the draft, Denver selected sharpshooting forward Juancho Hernangomez.

The 6’9” forward from Spain is known as a lengthy, versatile player who can stretch the floor with his range. Hernangomez shot 35.8% from three and averaged 9.8 points and 3.7 rebounds over 24 games for Movistar Estudiantes, a team in the Spanish ACB League. He also led Spain in scoring (14.2 points) and rebounding (8.5 rebounds) at the 2015 U20 European Championships.

Hernangomez participated in a pre-draft workout with the Nuggets in early June and at the time, he was excited about the possibility of joining the team.

“The Nuggets are a fantastic franchise,” Hernangomez said. “It’s been a great experience but if Denver drafts me, I’ll be a great teammate and do everything I can to improve this team.”

Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly spoke highly of the Spanish forward’s skill set.

“This was a guy we had targeted. He is a modern day 3 or 4,” Connelly told Nuggets.com. “He has big-time basketball IQ.”

After the draft, Hernangomez was just happy the waiting was finally over.

”I’m really excited. I don’t know if I want to cry or jump and scream,” Hernangomez said with a big smile. “It’s impossible to describe [how I feel with words].

“Thank you for drafting me. I’m really excited to start playing for Denver.”

Take a look behind-the-scenes as Juan Hernangomez name is called at the 15th pick during the 2016 NBA Draft!

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Welcome To Denver: Juan Hernangomez

With their third first-round selection and 19th overall pick, the Denver Nuggets selected Malik Beasley in the 2016 NBA Draft. The 19-year-old shooting guard out of Florida State averaged 15.6 points in 34 games last season for the Seminoles, marking the second-highest point total (529) and point average (15.6) tallied by a freshman in school history.

Beasley was the first FSU player in school history to declare for the NBA Draft after just one season, and he is carrying this same jump-right-in-attitude into his NBA career.

“Just compete every day, work hard, and whatever Coach wants me to do, I’ll do it. It’s time to get to business,” said Beasley.

At 6’5” 196-pounds, Beasley is comparably-sized  to the Nuggets' seventh overall pick, Jamal Murray, who measures at 6’4” and 207 pounds. While Beasley does not have any preexisting personal relationships with any Nuggets players, he competed against Murray during college and considers him a friend. Both Beasley and Murray will fill up the roster next to Nuggets guard Gary Harris (6”4’, 210-pounds).

With a now stacked roster, Beasley knows there is a lot of power in a little friendly competition.

“I’m still going to work hard to compete against [Jamal Murray]. We’re friends, and we’re going to work hard together to get Denver back on again,” said Beasley in a post-draft interview with the NBA.

Beasley will have roughly four months to get acclimated to the mile-high altitude and just enough time to start building comradery with his new teammates.

When asked if Beasley was ready to adjust to the thin Colorado air, Beasley confidently said, “Yes, sir. Yes, sir, I’ve got to. It’s the only way to do it.”

Take a look behind-the-scenes as Malik Beasley name is called at the 19th pick during the 2016 NBA Draft!

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Welcome To Denver: Malik Beasley

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Draft Night Gallery: Jamal Murray

Presented by

Western Union

Come out to the Denver Nuggets 2022-23 Draft Party Thursday, June 23rd @ 6:00 p.m. at Tom's Watch Bar, presented by Miller Lite! 

Watch your Denver Nuggets make their pick, win team signed gear, and meet Super Mascot Rocky! For more information <a href="https://www.nba.com/nuggets/watch-parties">Click Here</a>