The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft wrapped up Tuesday night in New York, with all 30 teams making their selections. Here is a look at how the first round unfolded, including scouting breakdowns on two of the top prospects taken.
One of the early picks was a first-team Associated Press All-American who led the nation in scoring as a freshman, averaging 25.5 points per game. Built with a sturdy frame, he was especially effective creating his own shot and drawing fouls — he topped the entire country in free throws both made (229) and attempted (296). According to Synergy Sports data, he ranked in the 87th percentile as a ball-handler in pick-and-roll situations, which accounted for 27% of his possessions, and in the 94th percentile in post-up situations. He also averaged 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 51% from the field. He set a program freshman record at BYU with 43 points in a game against Utah. His three-point shooting (33.1%) remains an area for development.
Another early selection was a freshman scoring playmaker who excelled both in the half-court and in transition. He averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, while connecting on 38.2% of his three-point attempts — including a game where he drained six threes in a win at Oklahoma State. He made 82.6% of his free throws and logged six games with at least eight free throw attempts. However, availability was a major concern throughout the season. He was hospitalized during the preseason due to a full-body cramping issue and went on to miss 11 games because of injury or illness, frequently dealing with day-to-day uncertainty that limited his minutes.
Below is the complete list of first-round picks from the 2026 NBA Draft:
3. Memphis Grizzlies
4. Chicago Bulls
5. Los Angeles Clippers (from Indiana)
6. Brooklyn Nets
7. Sacramento Kings
8. Atlanta Hawks (from New Orleans)
9. Dallas Mavericks
10. Milwaukee Bucks
11. Golden State Warriors
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Los Angeles Clippers)
13. Miami Heat (traded to Milwaukee)
14. Charlotte Hornets
15. Chicago Bulls (from Portland)
16. Memphis Grizzlies (from Phoenix via Orlando)
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Philadelphia)
18. Charlotte Hornets (from Orlando via Phoenix)
19. Toronto Raptors
20. San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta)
21. Detroit Pistons (from Minnesota)
22. Philadelphia 76ers (from Houston via Oklahoma City)
23. Atlanta Hawks (from Cleveland)
24. New York Knicks
25. Los Angeles Lakers
26. Denver Nuggets
27. Boston Celtics
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Detroit, traded to Brooklyn)
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (from San Antonio via Atlanta)
30. Dallas Mavericks (from Oklahoma City via Washington and Philadelphia)
