Multiple times during the news conference introducing Milwaukee Bucks draft picks AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith on Tuesday, they turned toward each other with a smirk, silently daring each other to answer the questions first.
It soon became clear this gathering at the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Sports Science Center was not the first time these two had met.
"It helps a little bit (having each other). In ninth grade we played with each other, too, (in) AAU," Smith said.
"We knew each other for a minute so it should be pretty easy to get along."
Johnson added, "I definitely agree with him. Just having somebody that you know for a while and has been playing against and stuff like that. Having him with you going into an environment like this, I feel it's really good."
Head coach Doc Rivers and general manager Jon Horst were all smiles as they introduced the two newest – and youngest – Bucks to their roster.
Rivers, who was not at the postdraft news conference June 26, had the opportunity to give his thoughts on both Johnson's and Smith's skillsets.
The emphasis on youth – both players are 19 years old – was intentional, given the new roster restrictions of first and second aprons.
"When you look at their ages, when you look at their athleticism and when you look at their skill, it all matches," Rivers said. "A lot of times we draft guys on their athletic ability, and then we try to teach them the skill part. They already have the athleticism. They already have the skill. Now it's our job to try to teach them the game, get them stronger, get them ready.
"Both of them are excellent shooters. They just have skill to their game, and that's what drew me to them."
Both Smith and Johnson had unorthodox journeys to the NBA.
In 2021, Smith gave up his college eligibility to play in the Overtime Elite league. Previously ranked the No. 8 high school prospect by ESPN, Smith played with the Cold Hearts for two seasons.
After that, Smith jumped to the G League Ignite.
"Because I came from Overtime, I couldn't go to college. I lost my eligibility," Smith said. "I feel like going to the Ignite, it just prepared me for this level, just playing against pros in the G League already and rookies that are coming up and down. I couldn't get a better choice than that."
Johnson similarly found his way to a professional league, but through unexpected circumstances.
In his senior year of high school, he transferred to Kanye West's Donda Academy. The non-accredited school abruptly shut down in 2022, forcing Johnson to join Southern California Academy.
He planned to play for the University of Texas out of high school but then decommitted in favor of the National Basketball League in Australia.
"It was a hard decision choosing to decommit from Texas and going another route, but with my family and my friends, we just felt like it was the best decision for me, so that's just what I went with.
"I feel like it's really good for my development to be playing against professionals every day and learn from them straight out of high school."
Rivers, Horst and the Bucks brass have tempered expectations for Johnson and Smith to contribute right away.
They're more focused on developing them for the future. Or, at least when they're old enough to have fun in Las Vegas.
"So I was in Vegas this year, there was really, like, nothing do to out there. Especially for us," Smith said.
"Keep that mentality," Horst advised.
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