The Kings were thrilled internally to draft Tyrese Haliburton with the no. 12 pick, and the reaction around the league was equally positive for the selection. Here’s a roundup of some the grades the organization received for the first draft pick of Monte McNair’s tenure, as well as the second-round picks of Robert Woodard II and Jahmi’us Ramsey.

(If you’re interested, our staff also threw in our two cents on the whole draft).

CBS Sports was incredibly complimentary of all three players:

USA Today gave the Kings the second-highest grade of the night behind Charlotte:

Sports Illustrated was similarly high on the team’s prospects:

Bleacher Report went pick-by-pick but still had good things to say about Haliburton:

Sporting News also was shocked by Haliburton falling so low, and credited the Kings for picking him up:

Members of the Kings — and people around the league — shared their enthusiasm at seeing Haliburton picked as well, starting with Harrison Barnes. Barnes grew up in Ames, Iowa, where Haliburton attended school at Iowa State.

Ames legend! Let’s get to it big bro! https://t.co/et0NOOBIaT

— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) November 19, 2020

New broadcaster Mark Jones had rave reviews for Haliburton, and his comparison to Malcolm Brogdon would be an ideal outcome for the Kings.

Tyrese Haliburton is a great get for @SacramentoKings…BIG WIN for the Kings.
Impressive player,impressive person. Execs were blown away by his talent and interviews. His interviews were on the Malcom Brogdon legendary level.
Haliburton can score,defend and makes ppl better

— MarkJonesESPN (@MarkJonesESPN) November 19, 2020

Harry Giles is a fan of Haliburton. Hopefully, the two get a chance to play together if Giles chooses to stay in Sacramento.

Congrats Brodie @TyHaliburton22 welcome to the city! One of the best places in the world. They city going to show the best luv you ever seen

— Harry Giles III (@HGiiizzle) November 19, 2020

Perhaps the most special praise for Haliburton came from Magic Johnson, a player he said he modeled his game after. As he told the media Thursday, “My dad had me watch a lot of 90s clips and watch a lot of 90s basketball. So, you know, Magic Johnson is a big inspiration to my game. He tweeted me yesterday, so that was a dream come true. I tried to be as cool calm, collected as possible when I saw that, but that’s kind of just been the inspiration of my game.”

Magic? Like.. Magic Johnson!?!? I appreciate the love Hope to meet you in person soon and pick your brain! Much love! https://t.co/VqJr3Xa983

— Tyrese Haliburton (@TyHaliburton22) November 19, 2020

The work is just beginning for Haliburton, Woodard, and Ramsey to show that they worthy of this praise, but they all seem eager to prove that they are.