Botched Phoenix Suns' Toumani Camara NBA Draft announcement confuses, angers fans
Phoenix Suns fans had to wait a long time for their team to make the No. 52 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday night.
And then they weren't even sure if their team made the pick at all.
Confusion reigned momentarily during ESPN's 2023 NBA Draft broadcast when Malika Andrews announced that Toumani Camara, the No. 52 pick, was going to the Washington Wizards as part of the Suns' trade for Bradley Beal.
Only he wasn't.
Shortly thereafter, team officials confirmed to The Arizona Republic that Camara was in fact, going to the Suns, but many fans were left perplexed by Andrews' comment.
She wasn't the only one to report it, either.
More: Phoenix Suns' 2023 NBA Draft pick Toumani Camara lauded on NBA Twitter as 'future star'
VOTE: How would you grade the Phoenix #Suns' #NBAdraft? (Grades: https://t.co/HcYf5DUvGs) (Reaction: https://t.co/qAWxWa93NS) (Botched call: https://t.co/hjnsaaZg8u) @azcentral #WeAreTheValley
— azcentral sports (@azcsports) June 23, 2023
The Athletic's Shams Charania also tweeted out that Camara was going to Washington as part of a pick swap with the Suns, before deleting the tweet and issuing a correction.
ESPN didn't issue a correction during their draft broadcast.
Social media was abuzz about Camara's destination amid the reports, with some believing the Dayton forward was ending up in Washington.
Phoenix Suns' 2023 NBA Draft grades: Toumani Camara selection receives mixed reviews
#Suns didn't trade this pick to Wizards. Team officials confirmed it's Phoenix pick.
Playing last 2 years at Dayton. Georgia transfer. 6-8, 220. Career highs points (13.9 ppg.) rebounding (8.6 rpg.) FG% (54.6%) and 3PT% (36.3%). Toumani Camara led A-10 in rebounding senior year. https://t.co/6stlLIFkda— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) June 23, 2023
Clarity here: Toumani Camara will be with the Suns. Phoenix targeted and selected him tonight. The pick was not part of the Bradley Beal trade. https://t.co/zTMbIos1mh
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2023
52. Toumani Camara - Washington Wizards - Dayton
13.9 PTS, 8.6 REB, 1.7 AST, 1.2 STL
54.6 FG%, 36.3 3PT%, 66.9 FT% pic.twitter.com/QXjLevuAfP— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) June 23, 2023
52. Washinton Wizards: Toumani Camara #NBADraft2023
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 23, 2023
YESSIRR! Toumani Camara to my wizards!
2nd Belgian player ever selected in the draft‼️🇧🇪 LETS GO https://t.co/lBNatMyZry— Nick Wils (@NickWils_) June 23, 2023
Toumani Camara’s 30 seconds as a Wizard will be remembered https://t.co/EMWH4huGE2
— Martin Gorthot (@washedwiz) June 23, 2023
ESPN was absolutely wrong about where Toumani Camara was heading, he ISN’T heading to the Washington Wizards. He IS heading to the Phoenix Suns.
This draft pick was not a part of the Bradley Beal-Chris Paul trade. #WeAreTheValley #NBADraft2023 #NBA https://t.co/Sj6m6ZjIr0— Joshua Unangst (@JoshuaUnangst13) June 23, 2023
BREAKING: With the 52nd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns select Toumani Camara, a forward from the University of Dayton. He will be traded to the Wizards. pic.twitter.com/tykadNiT5y
— Calhoun's Corner (@CornerCalhoun) June 23, 2023
The #Wizards select Toumari Camara at No. 52 (from PHX), per @ShamsCharania
— Tyler Barberis (@tylerbarberis_) June 23, 2023
The Washington Wizards select Toumani Camara of @DaytonMBB with the 52nd pick in the 2023 NBA Draft as part of a trade with the Phoenix Suns. #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/iP57nK9xVC
— Hoops Nation (@NBATransaction7) June 23, 2023
Why is ESPN saying this Suns pick is going to Washington? It is not. What the hell is their deal?
— Tim Ring (@timringTV) June 23, 2023
UPDATE: The ESPN broadcast is wrong. Can confirm Toumani Camara was drafted by the Suns at #52. It was NOT part of the Bradley Beal trade.
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) June 23, 2023
The Suns erased all doubt about who owned the pick when they announced the Camara selection in a news release and in some tweets.
Welcome to The Valley, Toumani! 🏜️ pic.twitter.com/9JXw4AiTe8
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 23, 2023
All smiles for the Camara 🤩 pic.twitter.com/R1qDCahCib
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 23, 2023
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 23, 2023
The damage was already done, however, as some NBA fans probably woke up this morning still thinking that Camara was a Wizard.
Phoenix Suns' 2023 NBA Draft rewind: Toumani Camara picked, no trades after speculation
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Botched Phoenix Suns' Toumani Camara NBA Draft 2023 call confuses fans
