Chris McCullough couldn’t practice for the Brooklyn Nets, but he said that his interview process made all the difference in garnering a first-round selection.

The 20-year-old spoke with Nets head coach Lionel Hollins moments after his selection, and Hollins told him that it was what he said that made Brooklyn want to take the risk on a player that tore his ACL in January.

“We just kind of connected,” McCullough said. “Once we got in a room together, we just connected. He gave me life lessons.”

McCullough was the 29th pick in the draft, and a large pack of Brooklyn fans were chanting his name in the moments leading up to his official selection. He was seated just rows in front of them, and stood up and thanked them before walking up to the stage to greet NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

“It’s a good feeling. Hearing my name called,” McCullough said. “Walking up to the stage, my hometown. It’s a good feeling.”