The first round of the 2026 NBA draft has concluded, and AJ Dybantsa headlined the group as the No. 1 overall pick heading to the Washington Wizards.
Read more Brendan Sorsby has to wait until 2027 to join the NFL
The Utah Jazz selected Darryn Peterson from Kansas with the No. 2 pick, and the Memphis Grizzlies rounded out the top three picks, drafting Cameron Boozer out of Duke.
It was a great night for the Michigan Wolverines, who had three players selected in the first round. Morez Johnson Jr. was the first taken off the board at No. 9 by Dallas, where he will reunite with coach Dusty May.
Here’s the latest:
Michigan followed its first NCAA title run since 1989 by leading the country with three first-round selections, while the Big 12 led all conferences with nine first-round picks.
The Wolverines had forward Morez Johnson Jr. go to Dallas with the No. 9 pick, fellow forward Yaxel Lendeborg go to Golden State at No. 11 and big man Aday Mara go to Oklahoma City at No. 12.
As for the conferences, the Big 12 had its best first-round haul. The Big Ten had six, followed by the Southeastern Conference with five. The Atlantic Coast Conference ended up with four in a top-heavy showing, with three coming in the top six overall selections.
The Big East had three and the West Coast Conference had one.
And that’s it for Round 1.
Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum takes over for Commissioner Adam Silver as the one announcing the picks Wednesday night for Round 2, with the draft resuming at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
Michigan had three picks in Round 1, while Arizona, Houston and UConn each had two.
Sturdy-framed freshman who averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists for Final Four team. Scored primarily in transition, on post-ups or as the roller in pick-and-rolls. Made seven 3s with a jumper rated as “Below Average” (27th percentile) by Synergy. Tied for fifth at the combine in standing vertical leap (34.5 inches).
The Charlotte Hornets two first-round draft picks come with built-in chemistry.
Hannes Steinbach from Washington, selected 14th overall, and Christian Anderson Jr. from Texas Tech, the 18th overall selection, were teammates on the German U19 national team and at the FIBA U19 World Cup.
“Playing three years together we have that connection on and off the court,” Anderson said. “We won so many games together — and I can’t wait to win some more.”
Tested and versatile redshirt senior with range (career 37.4% on 3s) and 6-11 wingspan. Held career averages of 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocks. UConn won two NCAA titles and played for a third with him as a full-time starter.
Hey, now! That is Mike Miller
If you’re watching the draft and wondering if the agent congratulating a slew of players is Mike Miller, yes, it is Mike Miller. The former NBA sharpshooter who famously made the one-shoe 3-pointer in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals for Miami against San Antonio is now an agent.
And he had a heck of a night.
The agency he co-founded, LIFT Sports Management, had five first-rounders Tuesday night: Tennessee’s Nate Ament, Stanford’s Ebuka Okorie, Alabama’s Labaron Philon Jr., Kentucky’s Jayden Quaintance and Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson — who wasn’t even formally invited to the first round and came out of the stands when he was taken at No. 28.
Karim Lopez has become the first Mexican-born player selected in the first round of the NBA draft.
Lopez heard his name called at No. 21 by the Detroit Pistons. A draft night deal that won’t be official until July 6 is sending him to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Lopez was born in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. He spent two seasons in Australia’s National Basketball League’s “Next Stars” developmental program that produced lottery picks LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey and Alex Sarr in recent years.
Second-team AP All-American. Senior playmaker with a strong frame and size. Averaged 16.4 points and 7.4 rebounds. Passing is a standout skill (4.8 assists) with his ability to initiate offense. Had four games with at least 10 assists. Posted a nearly 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
San Antonio didn’t need a center. It has Victor Wembanyama. But it did need a bit more physicality, and addressed that on Tuesday night.
The Spurs landed Kentucky’s Jayden Quaintance at No. 20 and after a trade with Denver will be adding UConn’s Tarris Reed Jr. at No. 26. Quaintance was limited to four games for the Wildcats this past season because of a knee issue, and stayed in the first round anyway.
Freshman and McDonald’s All-American with rangy skills. Started 36 games and led top-10 team in rebounding (7.9). Hit 30 3-pointers. Settled into a complementary role (9.5 points) and had three or fewer baskets in 18 of 37 games. Didn’t get to the line often (58 attempts in 37 games) and shot poorly when he did (62.1%).
Giannis Antetokounmpo is courtside at the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces game against the New York Liberty. (Heat center Bam Adebayo, the longtime partner of Aces star A’ja Wilson, is also at the game.)
Remember, Antetokounmpo can’t officially join the Heat until July 6.
But the WNBA tweeted out the news, calling Antetokounmpo “the newest member of the Miami Heat.” And the Aces did the same on their video screens, using that same wording over an image of the two-time NBA MVP and his children as they watched during a stoppage in play.
Interior force who powered UConn’s NCAA title-game run. Senior had career-high averages of 14.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 blocks. Had 31 points and 27 rebounds in first-round NCAA win against Furman as first player since Houston’s Elvin Hayes (1968) with a 30/25 game in March Madness. Has a better than 7-4 wingspan.
No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson is hoping to wear 22 in Utah, but he might have to pay to get it as Kyle Filipowski already has it.
“I’m going to have to see what he’s willing to do to give that up,” Peterson said.
Peterson’s backup choice is No. 8 in honor of Kobe Bryant. Peterson said he just got a Kobe tattoo on his shoulder. However that number is also taken as Isaiah Collier wears it.
“So I’m out of luck. I’m going to have to figure it out,” he said. “I’m going to have to go to the drawing board and figure something out. Hopefully I can get 22. I’m probably going to text Flip right now, like what I gotta do?”
A 20-year-old playmaker with size and range. Posted modest numbers (4.2 points, 2.2 assists in 11.2 minutes) in 31 games of top-level EuroLeague competition, but shot 39.6% from 3-point range and had a 1.8 assist-to-turnover margin. Has a 6-9 wingspan and good passing touch.
Transferred from Tennessee and blossomed as a redshirt sophomore in a lead role with the Bears. Averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Shot 49.4% overall and 37.4% on 3s. Ranked among combine leaders in standing vertical leap (second at 38 inches) and max vertical leap (third at 42.5 inches).
Fourth pick Caleb Wilson wasn’t intimidated by the comparison to another great North Carolina player who was drafted by the Chicago Bulls — Michael Jordan. He embraced it.
“I’m writing my own story, honestly. I want to be better than Mike,” he said. “I know it’s a lot to (do), but I’m writing my own story, for sure. I feel like it’s a great pipeline from UNC to the Bulls. I am just ready to keep it going.”
Senior offered a physical presence in St. John’s Sweet 16 run, averaging 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. Made 18 of 59 3s (30.5%) for some inside-out range. Has defensive potential with high motor, strong frame and 7-2 wingspan allowing him to tussle in the paint and move his feet to handle switches.
Michigan turned a national title into a draft bonanza.
The Wolverines had three players taken in the top 12, marking just the seventh time three players from the same school went that high in the same draft.
Morez Johnson Jr. started the run when he was taken ninth by Dallas where he will reunited with Michigan coach Dusty May.
Yaxel Lendeborg then went 11th to Golden State followed by Aday Mara to Oklahoma City with the No. 12 pick.
This marked the second straight year one school had three players taken that early with Duke’s Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach all going in the top 10.
The other schools to do it were Duke in 2019, Kentucky in 2015, Florida in 2007, UNLV in 1991 and Indiana in 1976.
Third-team AP All-American as a sophomore after averaging 22.0 points and 5.0 assists. Made a leap in shooting efficiency at 50.1% overall (up from 45.2% as a freshman) and 39.9% on 3s (up from 31.5%). Thrived as ballhandler in pick-and-rolls (94th percentile in Synergy) and repeatedly beat man defenses in the halfcourt (90th).
Versatile forward with athleticism and a nearly 7-foot wingspan. Native of Mexico. Spent two seasons in Australia’s National Basketball League’s “Next Stars” developmental program that produced lottery picks LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey and Alex Sarr in recent years. Averaged 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds last year. Turned 19 in April.
Physical tools stand out but sophomore’s health is a question. Suffered torn ACL in right knee in February 2025 while playing for Arizona State, then played just four games at Kentucky due to lingering swelling. Ranked fourth at the combine in wingspan (better than 7-5) and has big hands (tied for combine lead with 11-inch width, tied for second with 9.5-inch length).
On Wednesday, Scotland plays Brazil in Miami Gardens, Florida, as the World Cup continues. And that meant Scotland fans had nothing to do on Tuesday night. They got invited to join the Miami Heat draft party, and they became the party.
Did they know anything about the NBA?
“Nothing like this,” Ian Fyfe said. “Never been to anything like this before.”
Fyfe was on the Heat court, with a few dozen other Scotland fans. Some shot baskets for the first time, some touched a basketball for the first time.
It was very festive. That is, until M Dot, the Heat DJ, played “Sweet Caroline.” The mood changed fast. The Scots booed.
“That’s an England song,” Fyfe said.
The music changed, the cheering resumed and the Scots left the draft party happy. A little confused, perhaps, but happy. “Who won?” a lady asked as she departed the arena.
The top half of the first round featured no picks who didn’t play in college for a change.
This marked the first time since 2012 that the first 15 players picked all came from college. In 2012, the first non-college player taken was Evan Fournier at 20th.
There has been at least one player with no college experience taken in the first round in the last 31 drafts.
West Coast Conference’s freshman and sixth man of the year for program that reached first NCAA Tournament since 1996. Averaged 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds in 22.6 minutes. Shot 51.2% overall. Showed range (41.3% on 3s) and defensive potential (0.9 blocks, 1.9 steals).
Third-team AP All-American as a sophomore. Averaged 18.5 points and ranked fifth nationally in assists (7.4). Projects as a scoring playmaker despite being undersized. Shot 40% on 3-pointers over two seasons. Thrived as the ballhandler in pick-and-roll scenarios (93rd percentile in Synergy) and as a spot-up shooter (90th).
Four-star prospect who became a surprise freshman star. Ranked seventh nationally in scoring (23.2). Posted eight 30-point games, including 40 points in a win against Georgia Tech and 36 in a win against North Carolina. Showed the burst to score in transition and the halfcourt despite being undersized.
Senior point guard who climbed from Division II to Drake, then led Iowa to its first Elite Eight since 1987. Averaged 19.8 points, 4.4 assists and 1.4 steals. Synergy rated him as “Excellent” as the ballhandler in pick-and-roll scenarios (91st percentile), working in isolation (84th) and finishing at the rim (90th).
After Hannes Steinbach was selected No. 14 overall by the Charlotte Hornets, ESPN surprised him in the interview room by piping in a videotaped message from former NBA star Dirk Nowitzki, who played with his father Burkhard Steinbach in the German Basketball Bundesliga.
Nice idea, only problem was the message was inaudible due to an apparent technical issues, leaving the television audience wondering what Nowitzki said.
Burkhard Steinbach and Nowitzki were teammates on the German team in their shared hometown of Würzburg in the 1990s.
Junior transfer from Xavier averaged 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists. Most of his work came as the ballhandler in pick-and-roll scenarios and in transition. Showed active hands by averaging 1.6 steals. Must improve 3-point shooting after shooting 34.4% last year and 29.3% through three seasons.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that Nate Ament’s draft rights were traded to the Milwaukee Bucks by the Miami Heat.
And that’s all. The rest of the Giannis Antetokounmpo deal can’t be finished until July 6.
But at least Ament gets to start getting to know his new team. And, we hope, gets the right hat.
German freshman averaged 18.5 points and national-best 11.8 rebounds. Had a 24-rebound game against USC and five other games with at least 15 boards. Also had 10 games with at least six offensive rebounds. Shot 57.7% overall. Showed inside-out potential by hitting 18 3-pointers (34.5%). Averaged 1.2 blocks with better than 7-2 wingspan.
The last lottery pick in the 2026 NBA draft: Washington forward Hannes Steinbach, going No. 14 to the Charlotte Hornets.
The Hornets were on the cusp of the playoffs this past season, losing in the play-in finale to Orlando and missing out on the No. 8 seed.
Steinbach is a big-time rebounder, averaging 18.5 points and an NCAA-leading 11.8 boards this season. And his father has played with Dirk Nowitzki, so expect greatness.
Lisa Salters asked Nate Ament who he was on the phone with when Commissioner Adam Silver announced him as the No. 13 pick.
“Talking to Milwaukee staff,” Ament said.
Seriously, give the kid a Bucks hat already.
Freshman offers intriguing versatility and athleticism as No. 2 scorer (16.7) for Elite Eight team. Illustrated long-term potential while averaging 22.8 points on 45.2% shooting from Jan. 10 to Feb. 20, including 39.1% on 3s. Must fill out his game with spot-up shots accounting for 18.7% of his possessions, according to Synergy. Needs strength to handle physical play.
Let the record forever and ever show that Tennessee forward Nate Ament was taken No. 13 by the Miami Heat in Tuesday’s draft.
He will be a Heat player until July 6. And only on paper.
Ament will be going to the Milwaukee Bucks, as part of the trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Heat had to make the pick on Milwaukee’s behalf as part of the terms of the trade that the sides agreed to Monday night.
He went on stage with the Heat logos displayed and was given a Heat hat. It’s the annual dilemma for the NBA: What do you do with players who are traded, but aren’t really traded yet?
Anyway, he’ll have a Bucks hat soon enough.
Kansas coach Bill Self sees big things in store for his freshman guard Darryn Peterson after being picked No. 2 by Utah.
“His ceiling is, in 10 years, he’s an eight-time All-Star,” Self said. “It may take him a year or two to get his legs under him, but he’ll be one of the best guards in the league. He’ll be one of the most talked about. He’ll be a guy that averages 20, 25 a game, I think, over the course of his career.”
Peterson averaged 20.2 points and 4.2 rebounds for the Jayhawks but was hampered by ailments. He dealt with a preseason full-body cramping issue that required hospitalization and later missed 11 games for injury or illness.
“You hear all these accolades that everybody gives him and it’s deservedly so about his talent, and we didn’t get a chance to see it consistently. We saw it at times, but not consistently with health issues,” Self said. “So it makes me very happy for him but also kind of feeling of a what-if a little bit as well.”
Junior from Spain projects as a defensive force after helping Michigan win its first NCAA title since 1989. Averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 23.4 minutes. Ranked sixth nationally in blocks (2.6). Shot 66.8% overall. Led all combine players in standing reach (9-9) while ranking second in wingspan (7-6). Must improve at the line (56.4%).
Aday Mara is the third Michigan player to go in the lottery portion, getting taken No. 12 by Oklahoma City.
And the Thunder have another rim defender to go alongside an elite one in Chet Holmgren.
In fact, Mara could be a nightmare on defense. At 7-foot-3 without shoes, he officially was the tallest player at the combine last month. His standing reach is 9-foot-9, meaning he can almost dunk by doing nothing other than reaching for the rim.
Yaxel Lendeborg had one of the best draft moments we’ve seen so far in this class, when he sat down on the ESPN couch right after getting selected and said, “I don’t deserve to be here right now.”
ESPN’s Lisa Salters quickly chimed in, telling Landeborg, “don’t say that.” And she’s right.
Lendeborg credits his mother for everything he’s been able to do in the game, and for making sure he eventually found the right path in life.
Mother knows best.
First-team AP All-American for NCAA champion. Has a strong frame (6-9, 241) and better than 7-3 wingspan. Shot 37.2% on 3s at career-high volume compared to 34.9% through two seasons at UAB. Showed toughness by gritting through ankle and knee injuries in the Final Four and title game. Older prospect (23) who spent three years in junior college.
Golden State got a national champion in Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg with the No. 11 pick.
Lendeborg thought about the draft last year, then returned to college and helped the Wolverines win the national title.
He’ll be 24 years old when training camp starts, and he’s got the maturity to fit right in alongside Stephen Curry and the Warriors.
With Jimmy Butler dealing with ACL recovery, expect the Warriors to need production from him right away. He’s more than capable.
The run on guards is back on, with Milwaukee taking Arizona’s Brayden Burries with the No. 10 pick.
The Bucks traded Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami on Monday night; it won’t be official until July 6, but Milwaukee got guards Tyler Herro and Kasparas Jakucionis as part of their haul of players from the Heat.
And now, another guard in Burries is headed to Milwaukee. The Bucks also have the No. 13 pick, which technically will be made by Miami.
Freshman combo guard offers potential to impact both ends of the court. Averaged 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists for 36-win Final Four team. Shot 49.1% overall, 39.1% on 3-pointers and 80.5% on free throws. Averaged 1.5 steals, including nine games with at least three. Ranked fourth at the combine in standing vertical leap (35 inches).
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Versatile and physical presence for NCAA champion as a sophomore transfer from Illinois. Averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks with potential to play forward or a small-ball 5-man. Thrived as a cutter, in post-ups and in finishing at the rim. Ranked ninth at the combine with a better than 7-3 wingspan.
The Dusty May era in Dallas begins with a Dusty May guy from Michigan.
The Mavericks took Morez Johnson Jr. — from national champion Michigan — with the No. 9 pick.
Johnson is a big-time finisher at the rim, and started all 40 games for the Wolverines this season when May — now the coach in Dallas — coached the team to the NCAA title.
“The Michigan Mavs,” Johnson said.
Johnson is a rarity so far in this draft, too. Johnson played two college seasons, after spending his freshman year at Illinois.
A two-and-done, if you will.
May became the Mavericks’ coach on Monday, and the deal was officially announced Tuesday.
Third-team AP All-American as a freshman with potential to be disruptive defensively. Averaged 16.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Pressured opponents in transition or off the bounce. Had program freshman-record 42 points in a loss to Texas Tech. Posted a nearly 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Ranked in the top six at combine in lane-agility time, shuttle run and three-quarter-court sprint. Needs to add strength and refine shot mechanics.
Young players coming into the league often get what is called “my vet,” meaning the veteran player who takes them under their wing and shows them the NBA ropes.
Kingston Flemings, you’re about to learn from one of the best pros out there — CJ McCollum.
Flemings went No. 8 to Atlanta, a team clearly on the rise, and he fills a clear position where the Hawks needed some depth.
A win for all involved.
This might not be the only draft night looming for the Flemings family. His sister, Bella, is a top recruit and Duke commit, so perhaps a WNBA night might be in her future one day as well.
First-team AP All-American with standout offensive skills. Freshman ranked third nationally in scoring (23.5) and 14th in assists (6.4), leading Razorbacks to first Southeastern Conference Tournament title in 26 years. Had program freshman-record 49 points in a double-overtime loss at Alabama. Thrived as the pick-and-roll ballhandler (rated “Excellent” in the 89th percentile by Synergy) and in isolation (rated “Very good” in the 74th percentile). Defense is a question.
The surprise isn’t that Sacramento took Darius Acuff Jr. with the No. 7 pick.
The surprise might be that Acuff made it that far down the board.
Sacramento got a good one in Acuff, who averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists in his lone college season at Arkansas.
Widely considered the best player in the SEC last season, Acuff spent this season learning from John Calipari — who has made dozens of college kids NBA-ready.
First-team AP All-American with standout offensive skills. Freshman ranked third nationally in scoring (23.5) and 14th in assists (6.4), leading Razorbacks to first Southeastern Conference Tournament title in 26 years. Had program freshman-record 49 points in a double-overtime loss at Alabama. Thrived as the pick-and-roll ballhandler (rated “Excellent” in the 89th percentile by Synergy) and in isolation (rated “Very good” in the 74th percentile). Defense is a question.
Freshman offers scoring punch with combo-guard size. Averaged 18.2 points and 4.7 assists. Erupted for 45 points and 10 3-pointers in a blowout of N.C. State to break the Atlantic Coast Conference freshman scoring record set by 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. Needs to add strength. Battled back issues that sidelined him for eight midseason games and then resurfaced to sideline him for the last six.
Brooklyn surely looked at every bit of tape there is on Mikel Brown Jr. before taking him with the No. 6 pick on Tuesday night.
But in reality, the Nets probably could have been sold by just one game: His 45-point explosion for Louisville against N.C. State on Feb. 9, a game where he hit 10 3-pointers.
The Nets got a big guy Monday night via trade, landing Julius Randle from Minnesota. And now, they get a scoring guard in Brown.
It’s a good start in a rebuild.
Keaton Wagler can shoot (40% from 3-point range, 80% from the foul line), can pass (4.2 assists per game) and he played a ton of minutes in his lone college season at Illinois.
But what might have tipped the scale for the Los Angeles Clippers, who took him at No. 5 overall, could be his size. He stands 6-foot-5 without shoes, making him one of the tallest guards in this draft class.
Freshman four-star recruit became a second-team AP All-American in Illinois’ first Final Four run since 2005. Can play on or off the ball. Averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Shot 39.7% on 3s, hitting nine 3s in a 46-point outburst against Purdue. Rated “Excellent” by Synergy as the pick-and-roll ballhandler and with his jumper in off-the-dribble and catch-and-shoot opportunities. Lacks elite athleticism. Needs to add strength.
The history of North Carolina guys going to Chicago is pretty good (that Jordan guy worked out well for the Bulls), and any GM in the NBA will tell you that Caleb Wilson absolutely is ready for the pros. He’s a legit 6-foot-9 without shoes and that means closer to 6-foot-11 with them.
He could be the best athlete in this draft class. And that’s one heck of a title, considering the talent in this group.
Second-team AP All-American as a freshman with explosive athleticism, go-go-go motor, 7-foot wingspan and spotlight-embracing personality. Averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds. Thrived at the rim and in transition. Stood out in marquee wins against Kansas and rival Duke. Needs to add strength and hone his 3-point shot (25.9%). Had a national-leading 66 dunks when he suffered a broken left hand in mid-February, then broke his right thumb in practice when on the verge of returning in March.
In taking Caleb Wilson at No. 4, the Chicago Bulls drafted a player from the University of North Carolina in the first round for the third time.
It worked out pretty well the first two times.
Chicago selected Michael Jordan with the No. 3 pick in 1984, and the Hall of Fame guard led the franchise to six NBA championships in the 1990s.
The Bulls took Coby White at No. 7 in 2019. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 15.4 points in six-plus seasons with the team before he was traded to Charlotte in February.
We see you, Christopher Columbus High School in Miami. The school that gave the NFL its No. 1 pick this year in Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza now sees another recent alum going No. 3 in the NBA draft to Memphis.
Cameron Boozer, the son of longtime NBA forward Carlos Boozer, is Memphis-bound to help lead the Grizzlies’ rebuild.
Boozer could have easily been the No. 1 pick, and the talent is unmistakable. And he’s won in both high school and college. The Grizzlies obviously hope that continues.
Fifth freshman named AP men’s national player of the year. Averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds. Shot 55.6%, routinely finishing through contact and physical play. Made 39.1% of 3s. Rated “Excellent” by Synergy against man defense (94th percentile), on post-ups (86th) and spot-up shots (95th). Strong passer (4.1 assists) out of double teams or in initiating offense. Son of former Duke and NBA player Carlos Boozer. Lacks explosive athleticism, relying more on strength and positioning than above-the-rim play.
Adam Silver announced the No. 1 pick by his formal name: Anicet Dybantsa.
The reason was simple. AJ Dybantsa — Anicet Jr. — wanted to pay tribute to his father, in the ultimate basketball moment for his family.
“This is just a stepping stone,” Dybantsa said after being taken No. 1 by Washington. “Obviously, I have a lot more work to do.”
People just look at the scoring numbers and think “scorer.” Don’t be fooled. This kid has a 42-inch vertical leap and can go foul line to opposite end line in 3.14 seconds. Translated: he’s explosive, big time.
Scoring playmaker thrives off the dribble, in halfcourt and in transition. Freshman averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists. Shot 38.2% on 3-pointers, hitting six 3s in a win at Oklahoma State. Made 82.6% of free throws, logging six games with at least eight attempts. Biggest questions centered on availability. Dealt with a preseason full-body cramping issue requiring hospitalization, then missed 11 games for injury or illness. Frequently had limited minutes for uncertainty with his day-to-day status.
This was an easy pick for Utah. The Jazz wanted Darryn Peterson, the Kansas guard, and took him at No. 2 on Tuesday night.
Peterson struggled at times at Kansas in his lone college season, but the Jazz were sold on his athleticism and ability to score.
He’s got above-average wingspan for a guard his size, nearly 7 feet.
Anicet Dybantsa Jr. — known as AJ — is officially the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, as many suspected would be the case for well over a year.
Washington made it official on Tuesday night, taking him with the top selection.
Dybantsa was in Paris in January 2025, sitting courtside before a game between San Antonio and Indiana, when someone walked up and asked for an autograph.
The man had a request: “Can you sign it ‘No. 1 pick 2026?’” he asked.
Dybantsa, who starred at BYU in his lone college season, has studied stars like Kevin Durant and LeBron James for some time, hoping to mirror their paths to success.
His father, Anicet Dybantsa Sr., is from the Congo. His mother, Chelsea, is Jamaican. AJ Dybantsa believes the diversity of backgrounds in his family helped him learn about the world, and that it has translated to his game.
First-team Associated Press All-American and national scoring leader (25.5) as a sturdy-framed freshman. Pressured defenses by creating his own shot and getting to the line, where he led the country in made free throws (229) and attempts (296). Synergy rated him as “Excellent” as the ballhandler in pick-and-rolls (87th percentile, 27% of possessions) and post-ups (94th, 10.9%). Averaged 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Shot 51%. Scored BYU freshman-record 43 points against Utah. Must improve his 3-point shot (33.1%).
The Los Angeles Clippers brought in several prospects for predraft workouts. According to lead assistant Jeff Van Gundy, there wasn’t a dud in the bunch.
“Every guy that we’ve interviewed, I’d like them to marry my daughter. They’re that good a guy,” he said. “Not that I’m really like into arranged marriages, but if I was I’ve got a couple guys in mind.”
Van Gundy keeps a low profile with the team and never speaks to the media, but he spent about 13 minutes being interviewed by the team’s sideline reporter during a draft watch party on the plaza outside Intuit Dome.
Darryn Peterson looked every bit like a possible No. 1 overall NBA draft pick as a Kansas freshman — when he was on the court.
The 6-foot-5, 199-pound combo guard averaged 20.2 points but missed 11 games with a variety of injuries and illnesses. He headlines a position featuring freshman top-10 prospects in Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr., Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. and Houston’s Kingston Flemings.
The scoring playmaker can attack off the dribble, in the halfcourt and in transition.
He shot 38.2% on 3-pointers, hitting six 3s in a win at Oklahoma State. He shot 82.6% at the foul line and got there often, logging six games with at least eight attempts. He also averaged 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver started his draft-day responsibilities by lunching with many of the top draft picks, along with some of their coaches and families on Tuesday.
Silver had met many of the players before, but said in a predraft interview on ESPN that he was impressive by the collective group.
“They’re exceptional in terms of their personalities,” Silver said. “I mean, they’re full of life, eager to join the league, a lot of style. … They’re coming in with amazing attitude. They’re big fans. I’m crazily enthusiastic about them, I’ll leave it at that.”
Aday Mara was a massive presence in Michigan’s huge lineup that carried the Wolverines to their first NCAA championship since 1989. He’s now a lottery prospect in the NBA draft.
The 7-foot-3, 260-pound center is the headliner among the big men, a position group with a shorter line of top prospects compared to the guards and forwards. The list includes Washington’s Hannes Steinbach, Kentucky’s Jayden Quaintance and Houston’s Chris Cenac Jr.
The junior from Spain projects as a defensive force, leading all players measured at the combine in standing reach (9-9) and ranking second in wingspan (7-6).
Fans attending the NBA draft are getting to see a little more than usual from their seats at Barclays Center.
With the arena undergoing some renovations, the red carpet that was previously held in the arena’s atrium was moved to the draft floor. A number of players were wearing sunglasses, even though it’s raining outside in New York and dark in the arena.
Also, some of the player interview stops after they are picked were also moved from their previous behind-the-scenes locations. The “Good Morning America” set is on the floor, along with ones belonging to NBA TV and Chinese entertainment company Tencent.
Ending a marathon watch for the next great Miami get, the Heat landed Giannis Antetokounmpo — a two-time NBA MVP and 10-time All-Star — from the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night in exchange for a massive haul of players and draft picks.
The terms, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the move had yet to receive the required league approval: Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis are heading to Miami for Wisconsin native Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis.
Milwaukee also gets the No. 13 selection that will be made in Tuesday night’s NBA draft, along with a first-round pick swap in 2030, first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and a second-rounder in 2033, the person said.
Yaxel Lendeborg wrapped up his college career by winning a national title at Michigan under Dusty May. He made his pitch to keep playing for him before Tuesday night’s draft.
The Dallas Mavericks announced they had hired May away from the Wolverines on Monday, and they have the No. 9 overall pick in the first round. That aligns with the rough range where Lendeborg — an Associated Press first-team all-American — could hear his name called as a potential lottery prospect.
So Lendeborg was ready with his pitch on ESPN’s predraft special.
“I’m very happy for him,” Lendeborg said while sharing a laugh with fellow Michigan lottery prospect Aday Mara. “I’ll be way happier for him if he suddenly takes me at nine. So he should draft me. Draft me, please.”
Tobacco Road rivals Cameron Boozer of Duke and Caleb Wilson of North Carolina are part of the top overall tier of prospects in Tuesday’s first round of the NBA draft. If they both go in the top four as widely expected, that would be the first time in nearly four decades that the Blue Devils and Tar Heels each had a top-five pick in the same draft.
The last time came in 1989, when Duke forward Danny Ferry went No. 2 overall followed by UNC forward J.R. Reid at No. 5. The closest the schools had come since that time was in 2019, with Duke having forwards Zion Williamson going No. 1 and RJ Barrett going No. 3, while UNC had guard Coby White go No. 7.
Boozer became the fifth freshman named Associated Press men’s national player of the year, while Wilson was a second-team AP All-American in an injury-shortened season.
North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson isn’t shy about selling his potential.
The 6-foot-9, 211-pound forward appeared on ESPN’s predraft Red Carpet Special, hours before the start of a draft where Wilson is widely projected to be a top-four selection. When asked what the NBA team that drafts him Tuesday night would be getting, Wilson said: “A game changer.”
Wilson is part of a top overall tier of prospects that includes BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and Duke’s Cameron Boozer.
21. Detroit Pistons (via Timberwolves)
22. Philadelphia 76ers (via Rockets)
23. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers)
24. New York Knicks
25. Los Angeles Lakers
26. Denver Nuggets
27. Boston Celtics
28. Brooklyn Nets (via Pistons)
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs)
30. Dallas Mavericks (via Thunder)
The Dallas Mavericks’ overhaul following the Luka Doncic trade took another important step with Monday’s hiring of Michigan’s Dusty May as coach. Now they’ll have two first-round selections to add more pieces around NBA rookie of the year Cooper Flagg.
Dallas has the No. 9 and No. 30 overall picks in the first round, as well as a second-round selection for Wednesday.
In addition to Flagg, the Mavericks are set to get star guard Kyrie Irving back in his recovery from a serious knee injury, as well as having returning pieces like forwards P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford and center Dereck Lively II.
The No. 9 pick falls in range where numerous one-and-done guards are likely to land. That tier includes Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr., Houston’s Kingston Flemings, Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr., Illinois’ Keaton Wagler and Arizona’s Brayden Burries. Freshman forward Nate Ament from Tennessee could also be an option.
The Dallas Mavericks officially announced Dusty May as their new coach just a few hours before entering the NBA draft with the ninth pick on Tuesday night.
May is making the jump to the NBA less than three months after leading Michigan to its first NCAA championship since 1989. He had a 64-13 record in two years with the Wolverines, including a 34-3 season that ended with a 69-63 victory over UConn in the national title game.
The Mavericks made their choice to replace Jason Kidd official on the same day they could select the next young player who would be part of building around 2025 No. 1 pick and reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, who turns 20 in December.
Dallas also has the final pick of the first round at No. 30 and the 48th choice in the second round, which will be held Wednesday.
11. Golden State Warriors
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
13. Milwaukee Bucks
14. Charlotte Hornets
15. Chicago Bulls (via Trail Blazers)
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Suns)
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers)
18. Charlotte Hornets (via Magic)
19. Toronto Raptors
20. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks)
Michigan’s frontcourt powered the Wolverines to their first NCAA title since 1989. That trio could follow up by all landing in the lottery of Tuesday’s NBA draft.
Forwards Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. join big man Aday Mara in being set to go by roughly midway through the first round.
The 7-foot-3 Mara is massive and projects as a potential rim-protecting defensive force. Lendeborg was a first-team Associated Press All-American who improved his outside shot, while Johnson is a versatile player who could work as a forward or as a small-ball 5-man.
The Wolverines could produce three first-round picks on Tuesday night for the first time since the 1990 draft.
1. Washington Wizards
2. Utah Jazz
3. Memphis Grizzlies
4. Chicago Bulls
5. LA Clippers (via Pacers)
6. Brooklyn Nets
7. Sacramento Kings
8. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans)
9. Dallas Mavericks
10. Milwaukee Bucks
AJ Dybantsa has been a longtime favorite to be the No. 1 overall NBA draft pick. He’ll find out Tuesday whether he’s reached that status.
The 6-foot-9, 217-pound freshman lived up to all the hype at BYU, leading the country in scoring (25.5 points) while becoming a first-team Associated Press All-American. He pressured defenses with his ability to get off his own shot and by attacking to get to the foul line more than any other player in Division I.
The chief challenge to Dybantsa hearing his name called by the Washington Wizards is Kansas one-and-done guard Darryn Peterson.
The Washington Wizards have the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft on Tuesday night, with AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer among the options after strong freshman seasons in college.
Washington’s NBA title drought is almost as long as the New York Knicks’ was, having last won in 1978 when the team was still known as the Bullets.
The Wizards could go for Dybantsa, a forward who led the nation in scoring at BYU; or Peterson, a guard with tons of talent but some question marks after missing 11 games at Kansas with injuries and illness; or Boozer, a forward who was college basketball’s player of the year at Duke.
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