DETROIT, MI -- The aroma of freshly fried chicken, macaroni and cheese plus other tasty food items lingered in the air at the 211 Ultra Lounge in downtown Detroit.

Nearly 200 relatives, friends, and former coaches briefly mingled at the private party with former Oakland guard Kay Felder as he waited to hear his named called in the 2016 NBA draft Thursday night.

Felder, 21, was dressed to impress in a purple shirt with tan slacks and colorful polka dot suspenders that matched his bow tie and socks. His dark Gucci shades also added an extra touch to his stylish wardrobe.

The 5-foot-9, high-flying Detroit native was selected in the second round by the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers with the No. 54 pick. Cleveland purchased his draft rights from the Atlanta Hawks for about $2.4 million.

"That means a lot to give up all that money for one pick. I owe them," Felder said. "I owe them a lot because they did a lot for that pick so I'm going to come in ready to work from day one."

Former OU assistant coach Brandon Weems is currently a college scout for the Cavs and LeBron James was a big proponent for them to take Felder, according to his agent Brandon Greer.

James appeared at an Oakland University game in 2015 to visit Weems, his lifelong friend. Felder was a sophomore at the time but still remembers that moment like it was yesterday.

"B. Weems texted me after the pick to say, 'We got you' and that's good to be with him because he's my guy and somebody I look up to," Felder said. "It's very big because LeBron has come to see me play a couple of times and I was very excited.

"That's the best feeling in the world to play in front of the best player in basketball so why wouldn't you want to put on a show?"

Felder worked out for a dozen NBA teams prior to the draft.

Scouts and critics have dissected Felder's game since he first declared for the NBA draft following his junior year, but he said he didn't allow himself to follow the reports. He knows what he brings to the table.

"They're going to get the same person that they've seen ever since I've stepped on the court," Felder said. "They're going to get a gritty, hard-nosed, hard-working type of guy and a guy that doesn't back down from no challenges."

The 2013 Detroit Pershing graduate led the entire NCAA Division I last season in assists (9.3) and finished No. 4 in the nation with 24.4 points per game. He also grabbed 4.3 boards.

His parents Kahlil Felder Sr. and Tiffany Williams were also among family and friends for the draft party. OU coach Greg Kampe and former NBA player Desmond Ferguson were other notable faces in the crowd.

Kahlil Sr., 45, played at Eastern Michigan for two seasons in the early 1990s. He was on EMU's first-ever Sweet 16 team in the 1990-91 season coached by Ben Braun and dished out 129 assists in 1991-92 for the Eagles and takes credit for harnessing his son's grit at an early age.

He put the ball in his Kay's hands at four-years-old and still recalls him showing out on the court at a family reunion once. However, he stopped playing him one-on-one in his early years in high school when his game started to really blossom.

"I instilled that in him as far as his toughness," said Kahlil Sr. "One thing I can say about my son is that he always plays all facets of the game because I have taught him there are other aspects.

"He hates to lose and that just doesn't sit with him very well so he's going to work his butt off."

Williams arrived at 211 Ultra Lounge nearly 30 minutes ahead of the draft and admitted to feeling nervous but happy at the same time. Club owner Dennis Reed, who also coached Felder in middle school, gladly booked the draft party at his spot to celebrate the special occasion.

Williams said she didn't fully envision her son's NBA dream becoming a reality until after he dropped 37 points and nine assists against top-ranked Michigan State in a near upset at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Dec. 22, 2015. That's when she knew her son was ready for the next level.

"He's a very family-orientated person who loves to skate and shop," Williams said. "He's more so a quiet person."

Ferguson, a native of Lansing, enjoyed a professional career that landed him in various states and countries with many different teams including the Portland Trailblazers in 2004. Felder has played on his Moneyball Pro-Am team in Lansing for the past three years and Ferguson feels he has what it takes to survive in the league. Getting a bit more vocal on the court has been Ferguson's main advice to Felder.

"Take away his skill level and his athletic ability, he has the mentality," Ferguson said. "He's tough. He's been battle-tested and has overcome adversity so that's what really can allow you to succeed at that next level."

Slipping on his Cavaliers uniform will be a surreal moment for Felder although he still has to crack the roster. He's looking forward to learning from James and the entire organization.

"This was something that was unforgettable and words can't explain that," Felder said. "It's a great feeling."