NBA Rookies Markelle Fultz, Jayson Tatum, De’Aaron Fox & More Name Their Song of the Summer

While NBA aficionados desperately watch the clock tick for the start of the new season, teams are meticulously assembling their rosters with one goal in mind: To usurp the Golden State Warriors. Despite the four-headed monster of Durant, Curry, Green and Thompson looking indomitable last year, the NBA Draft has teams walking into 2018 with a sense of aplomb.

In what was arguably the deepest draft in years, teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers and more have revamped their rosters courtesy of the latest crop of talent. With the likes of Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson and De’Aaron Fox rounding out the top five in this year’s NBA Draft, these baby-faced assassins are looking to leave their mark on the hardwood this October.

More from Billboard

• Black Friday Game: How to Watch Dolphins vs. Jets on Prime Video for Free

• The Story Behind 'La Bestia,' The Atlanta Braves' Celebratory Song for 2023 NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr.

• Here's How Travis Kelce Reacted to a Taylor Swift Sign at The Chiefs-Eagles Game

Earlier this month, Billboard spoke with several NBA during the annual Panini NBA rookie photo shoot to discuss their favorite albums of all-time, their song of the summer and reliving the moment they heard their names called by NBA commissioner Adam Silver on draft night. Get to know some of NBA’s newest stars below.

Markelle Fultz – (Drafted No. 1 by the Philadelphia 76ers)

Song of the Summer: “We Ball” by Meek Mill. 

Top Three Albums of All-Time: JAY-Z’s Blueprint, Drake’s More Life, JAY-Z’s 4:44

Draft Night Experience: When I first heard it, it was kind of unreal, really. Finally hearing my name being called was crazy. I was more worried about walking across the stage and not trying to trip or nothing because I was the first guy to walk pass.  ?

Josh Jackson – (Drafted No. 4 by the Phoenix Suns)

Song of the Summer: “Broke Boy” by Playboi Carti

Top Three Albums of All-Time: JAY-Z’s Blueprint, Future’s Dirty Sprite 2, Drake’s Take Care

Draft Night Experience: It was just an amazing experience. It was fun night. Definitely one I’m gonna remember. [Adam Silver] calling my name was a dream come true. I’ve been watching the draft and NBA games as far back as I could remember. Just to be there and have my turn was really amazing.

Frank Ntilikina – (Drafted No. 8 by the New York Knicks)

Song of the Summer: “Butterfly Effect” by Travis Scott

Best Concert Experience: I’ve been to one great concert in New York and that was Drake‘s [Summer 16] concert with Future. It was here at Madison Square Garden. It was crazy. The last night was crazy.

Draft Night Experience: It was a lot of emotion. It was a dream come true. Just being here in [New York] is awesome for me. I’ve wanted this ever since I was young. It was a lot of emotions and a lot of motivation too, to accomplish more.

De’Aaron Fox (Drafted No. 5 by the Sacramento Kings)

Song of the Summer: “Gyalchester” by Drake

Draft Night Experience: It was really just a sigh of relief. I’m in the league now. It’s something that I’ve been dreaming about my whole life. It’s finally here.

Top Three Albums of All-Time: Kanye West 808’s & Heartbreak. That was my favorite Kanye album of all-time. It was just something that I could really vibe to. I really like that album. That’s my favorite Kanye album. Big Sean‘s Finally Famous. That was around the time I was in 7th grade. Big Sean was my favorite artist at the time. Drake Take Care was something that I could vibe to, too. Honestly, Take Care came out when I was in middle school. Finally Famous came out when I was in middle school. Heartbreak, I was probably in elementary school when that came out, but those are the three that I can definitely vibe to for an entire album.

Jayson Tatum – (Drafted No. 3 by the Boston Celtics) 

Song of the Summer:  “Heavy Heart” by Meek Mill

Top Three Albums of All-Time: The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready to Die, JAY-Z’s The Black Album, Drake’s Take Care

Draft Night Experience: It was just a lot of emotions. It’s the moment you’ve always been waiting for. It was like a dream come true.

Best of Billboard

• Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits

• H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart

• Anne Wilson's 'I Still Believe in Christmas' Crowns Christian Airplay Chart