AI Generated Image
5 takeaways: College players rule 1st round of 2026 NBA Draft
NBA.com • • general
Key Points:
- The 2026 NBA Draft first round saw minimal surprises, with BYU’s AJ Dybantsa going No. 1 to the Washington Wizards, followed by Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and Duke’s Cameron Boozer in the top three picks.
- Nine of the first 10 picks were college freshmen, tying the record for most freshmen in the top 10, and all of the first 20 picks came from college basketball, a first since 1994.
- Seven teams had two first-round picks, including the Hawks, Hornets, Bulls, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Bucks, and Thunder, while seven teams did not have any first-round selections.
- Michigan, the 2026 NCAA champions, had three players selected in the top 12, marking the first time since 2007 that three non-freshmen from the same school were lottery picks.
- The Big 12 conference set a record with nine first-round picks, while the NBA announced draft lottery reforms starting next season to reduce incentives for teams to tank, including limits on consecutive top picks.
