Aaron Hope 
Having a nickname like ‘The Pick’ is kinda like being a 30+ year old rapper named ‘Lil’ or ‘Young’ something. On one hand, is it still even relevant? On the other, there’s no doubting that basketball fans and North Carolina natives alike are sure to remember Emeka Okafor as the first pick in the 2004 NBA Draft and consequently the Charlotte Bobcats’ first ever draft pick. The nickname has apparently stuck with the big UConn alum, as his Nike Air Max Hyperize PEs for the New Orleans Hornets prominently feature ‘THE PICK 50’ on their tongue tags. The Hyperize family isn’t exactly on the same schedule as the NBA, so there’s a good chance Okafor will rock these next season, and you can check back with Sneaker News for the latest in Nike Basketball player exclusives.
