The 2026 NBA Draft began with the Washington Wizards selecting
AJ Dybantsa first overall. Dybantsa became Washington's first No. 1
overall selection since the franchise selected John Wall in 2010.
The Utah Jazz followed by selecting Kansas guard Darryn Peterson
with the second pick.
Memphis selected Duke forward Cameron Boozer third, Chicago selected
North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson fourth and the LA Clippers
selected Illinois guard Keaton Wagler fifth. Eight freshmen were
selected within the first nine picks, tying an NBA Draft record.
The draft continued the NBA's two-night format, with the first round
held June 23 and the second round June 24. As usual, several selections
changed hands through draft-night trades. The tables below list the
franchise that officially made each selection and identify the
reported draft-night destination where applicable.
Draft dates: The 2026 NBA Draft was held over two
nights at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The first round
was held June 23 and the second round was completed June 24.
AJ Dybantsa: The Washington Wizards selected BYU
forward AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick. He became the
franchise's first No. 1 overall selection since Washington drafted
John Wall in 2010.
Darryn Peterson: The Utah Jazz selected Kansas
guard Darryn Peterson with the second overall pick. It was Utah's
highest draft selection since the franchise entered the NBA in 1974.
Cameron Boozer: Memphis selected Duke forward
Cameron Boozer with the third pick. Boozer is the son of former
NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, who played 13 NBA seasons and spent
six seasons with the Utah Jazz.
Caleb Wilson: Chicago used the fourth overall pick
on North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, giving the Bulls one of the
highest selections in franchise history.
Keaton Wagler: The LA Clippers selected Illinois
guard Keaton Wagler fifth overall with a pick originally obtained
from Indiana.
Freshmen dominate the top: Eight freshmen were
selected among the first nine picks, tying an NBA Draft record and
illustrating how heavily the top of the 2026 class was built around
one-year college players.
Michigan at No. 11 and No. 12: Yaxel Lendeborg
went to Golden State with the 11th pick, immediately followed by
Michigan teammate Aday Mara to Oklahoma City at No. 12.
International prospects: The first round included
several players with significant international backgrounds,
including Spain's Aday Mara, Mexican forward Karim López and
Spanish guard Sergio De Larrea.
Karim López: Detroit selected Mexican forward
Karim López from the New Zealand Breakers at No. 21 before his
rights were traded to Memphis.
Sergio De Larrea: The Lakers selected Spanish
guard Sergio De Larrea from Valencia with the 25th pick before
his rights were moved to Dallas through New York.
Draft-night movement: The first round featured
numerous trades involving draft rights. Nate Ament, Bennett Stirtz,
Ebuka Okorie, Karim López, Cameron Carr, Sergio De Larrea,
Tarris Reed Jr., Joshua Jefferson, Alex Karaban and Koa Peat were
among the first-round selections whose rights changed hands.
Second round: New York opened the second round by
selecting Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton at No. 31 before trading
his rights to Houston.
Arkansas teammates: Arkansas produced three
selections in the draft. Darius Acuff Jr. went seventh to Sacramento,
while Meleek Thomas and Trevon Brazile were selected with consecutive
second-round picks at Nos. 34 and 35.
BYU: BYU produced both the first overall pick,
AJ Dybantsa, and second-round selection Richie Saunders, who was
selected No. 32 by Memphis.
Houston: Houston also had multiple prominent
selections. Kingston Flemings went eighth to Atlanta, Chris Cenac Jr.
went 27th to Boston and Emanuel Sharp was selected 45th by Sacramento.
Two-night format: The 2026 NBA Draft continued
the two-night format first introduced in 2024, separating the
30-pick first round from the 30-pick second round.
All 60 picks used: Unlike several recent NBA drafts
that contained fewer than 60 selections because of forfeited
second-round picks, the 2026 draft contained the full 60 selections.
Final pick: Washington selected South East
Melbourne forward Malique Lewis with the 60th and final pick.
His draft rights were subsequently traded to Milwaukee through
Orlando.
