The 2026 NBA Draft is officially in the books after Wednesday night's second round concluded one of the most anticipated drafts in recent history. Historically speaking, second-round picks don't have a great hit rate, but some appealing talents with longterm upside were taken Wednesday who could become impact players.
Isaiah Evans (No. 33 to Minnesota), Meleek Thomas (No. 34 to Cleveland) and Henri Veesaar (No. 52 to Atlanta) were each regarded as potential first-round picks entering the week. All three had collegiate eligibility remaining, but they chose to leave millions on the table in order to head to the draft.
Will they go down as the top steals of the 2026 draft and prove that they should have been first round picks? Or will they go down as cautionary tales for future generations of college players who are itching to reach the NBA prematurely?
Much of the rest of the second round was filled with veteran college players who will hope to latch on as role players in the NBA. Among them was former Purdue point guard Braden Smith, who is the NCAA's all-time assists leader. Smith won't be heading far, as he's sticking in Indiana to play for the Pacers, who picked him at No. 38.
Smith will hope to follow the Jalen Brunson mold and thrive in the NBA after slipping to the second round as an undersized point guard with multiple years of college experience.
Isaiah Evans and Meleek Thomas were two of the best shooting specialists in this draft class, and both were viewed as potential first round picks entering Tuesday. Though that didn't come to fruition, both came off the board quickly on Wednesday, with Minnesota taking Evans at No. 33 and Cleveland snagging Thomas at No. 34. Both guys profile similarly. They are fearless, high-volume shooters with great range and some uncertainty surrounding the rest of their games.
Neither is particularly well-rounded as a defender or paint finisher. But if their games ever round out, the sky is the limit. If nothing else, don't be surprised to see one or both blossom into an elite 3-point shooting specialist. The early run on perimeter marksmanship continued with Miami snagging Ryan Conwell at No. 37 after Conwell hit 37.6% of his 3-pointers on 923 attempts over a four-year college career. -- David Cobb
It was a long, winding, embarrassing wait, but Henri Veesaar did wind up in a rock-solid basketball situation. Atlanta's frontcourt depth chart is very thin at the moment. Veesaar has a real chance to carve out a role playing with Onyeka Okongwu and his ability to stretch the floor should keep the paint open for drivers like Kingston Flemings and Jalen Johnson. That should earn him a path to playing time early for Quin Snyder and the Hawks' coaching staff.
Veesaar's camp certainly misjudged his market, but there's a real path to minutes from the jump. -- Isaac Trotter
This is a tough one in this watered-down second round (thanks, NIL!). Talent gets you drafted; fit determines just how well everything goes. Here's our best bets to earn minutes next season from this crop of second-round picks. -- IT
Ryan Conwell is a 6-foot-3 net-shredder. There's a very short list of players who made at least 99 triples in three straight seasons of college basketball. Conwell is on that list with the likes of Steph Curry and JJ Redick. Miami needs cheap rotation players to round out the rotation around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. Conwell is a veteran who can defend, cut and shoot the cover off it. He's going to play. -- IT
Denver needed some fresh legs in its rotation, and Brazile has some real tools as a lanky 6-11 big man who can jump out of the gym, drill open 3-pointers and play way above the rim. If he keeps defending, he can play at the 4 alongside Nikola Jokic. -- IT
The Bucks will take Lewis, a 6-foot-7 international wing, with the final pick of the draft. Lewis has bounced around playing overseas and even in the G-League. He most recently hooped at for South East Melbourne Phoenix in the Australian NBL. Lewis is a jumbo wing who can pressure the basket and draw plenty of fouls.
Trey Kaufman-Renn was the successor to Zach Edey in terms of being the go-to guy in the paint for Purdue. Those were some big shoes to fill, but he handled it with excellence by emerging as one of the top post scorers in college basketball over the past two seasons. He's a plus passer and heady player, but there some limitations. He's not a great rim protector or an outside shooter, which will make finding a longterm home in the league tough.
This is a heckuva story for Pierre, who is a New Orleans, Louisiana native and gets to come home. The 6-foot-6 jumbo guard can get buckets in his sleep. He averaged over 17 points for SMU last year. Pierre is a true three-level scoring threat who can hit pull-up 3s, midrange jumpers and slash to the cup. Can he guard? That will determine if he sticks in the league.
Narcisse N'Goy is a French seven-footer who previously signed to play college basketball with Auburn before opting to pursue the NBA path. He is already 21, but he projects as an elite rim protector and rebounder. To date, he's demonstrated no outside shot. If he finds a home in the NBA, it will be as a physical interior enforcer.
Ishchenko is a toolsy 6-foot-7 wing from Russia who new Dallas general manager Mike Schmitz has been eye-balling. Ishchenko could be a draft-and-stash for the Mavs' braintrust, but he earned fans in the league with his pass-dribble-shoot skillset.
Martinelli was the Big Ten scoring champion for two straight seasons at Northwestern. The 6-foot-7 forward hit 41.7% of his 3-pointers as a senior, but don't mistake him for a shooting specialist. There is some variety in his bag. The Wildcats often used him as a post-up option and roll-man. Translating his game to the next level will take some work, both on his end and on the franchise end. But he's a savvy scorer with good size.
Golden State needed to bolster its wing group. Yaxel Lendeborg is a good start, but it added FSU's Lajae Jones to the fold here in the late second. Jones is a 6-foot-7 wing who can pass, dribble, shoot and defend. That's the Golden State special. Jones has grinded his way up from Tarleton State to the NBA.
Onyenso is one of the best rim protectors in this class. Don't believe me? Go pop in the tape of his ACC Tournament game against Duke. He wreaked havoc on Duke and No. 3 overall pick Cam Boozer. Onyenso's offensive game is highly limited, but he is a force to be reckoned with on the paint who can rack up blocks in a hurry. This pick is on the move from New York to Detroit, per ESPN.
Veesaar projected as a potential first-round pick, so slipping all the way down to No. 52 is one of the most stunning developments of the 2026 NBA Draft. The 7-footer was one of the top stretch 5s in the draft after shooting over 40% from downtown this past season at North Carolina. Remember, Atlanta was very close to picking a center in the lottery, but it chose not to take Michigan center Aday Mara at No. 8 overall, instead pivoting to lightning-quick point guard Kingston Flemings.
Atlanta has now added three of the most notable college basketball names in Flemings, Veesaar and Big East Player of the Year Zuby Ejiofor. All three could be factors in the rotations very quickly.
Nelson is a super long rebounding machine who does his offensive damage almost exclusively at the rim. He can swat shots at the rim but is also athletic enough to switch out onto smaller players. If nothing else, he'll be a high-energy intangibles-oriented option in the front court. It would be unwise to expect much more. But if he can ace the role of being a rebounder, lob threat and strong P&R defender, there will be a home for him in the league.
The Raptors may already have Jamal Shead, but they are certainly doubling down on gritty, winning point guards who are stuffed full of intangibles. Bradley led Arizona to the Final Four and was the Big 12 Player of the Year. The tough-nosed, defense-first guard plays with a real edge and physicality. He can hit pull-up jumpers, pressure the rim and heat up the basketball defensively.
Oh, and Bradley was the most clutch player in college basketball with a flair for late-game fireworks.
Bryce Hopkins endured a bad run with injuries during a winding collegiate journey that culminated at St. John's this past season. He's a versatile forward who fits the profile of a two-way player that could guard multiple positions. What Hopkins will be offensively in the NBA is unclear, because he's only a so-so outside shooter. But he's got a wingspan of nearly seven feet and is certainly worth a look at this stage of the draft.
Virginia Tech's pogo-stick leaper Tobi Lawal is off to Dallas. The Mavericks are adding one of the most vertically explosive players in this draft. Lawal had the best vertical at the NBA Draft Combine, soaring 45 inches. The 6-foot-9 forward projects as a real-deal defender. Can he turn into an offensive piece? He picked up basketball at 16, so the development curve could reap benefits for the Mavs down the road.
Tyler Nickel is a stretch forward with one of the quickest triggers you will find. Give him a sliver of daylight and the shot is going up. He also boasts unlimited range. He'll fill a specific niche in the NBA, because there isn't a ton of diversity in his game. But given his size at 6-foot-7, Nickel could be a serviceably versatile defender in the NBA. If that happens, he'll be the epitome of a 3-and-D forward.
As the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft crossed its midway point, one of the biggest sliders on the board remained North Carolina big man Henri Veesaar. As I hit publish on this post, pick No. 48 is off the board. The draft ends after pick No. 60.
Veesaar was once viewed as a potential first-round pick after a breakout season with the Tar Heels, averaging 17.1 points and 8.7 rebounds while emerging as one of the ACC's most productive frontcourt players. Instead, the 7-footer has tumbled deep into Day 2 -- a fall that will prove especially costly given what he left behind in Chapel Hill.
Sources told CBS Sports that Veesaar had an offer worth roughly $3.5 million to $4.5 million to return to North Carolina, where he would have been positioned as the likely Preseason ACC Player of the Year in 2026-27. Had he entered the transfer portal, sources said Veesaar likely could have pushed close to $5 million because of the premium placed on proven, difference-making college centers.
Veesaar had the option to return to school during the pre-draft process but ultimately stayed in the draft.
"Obviously, it's tempting," Veesaar said at the NBA Draft Combine. "There's a lot of money being thrown around in college. It's another year of going to school, being able to get ready for the NBA, but honestly getting thrown into the fire is the best way to learn."
That fire is now coming with a much different draft-night reality than Veesaar likely envisioned.
The Wizards traded for the No. 46 pick from Orlando to select Okpara. The 7-foot big man projects as a plus defensive anchor, who was one of the top interior stalwarts for a Tennessee defense that ranked in the top-15 nationally in defensive efficiency. Okpara is well-conditioned for a big man and owns a cut 237-pound frame to go along with rock-solid measurables, including a 7-2 wingspan and a 9-4 standing reach.
Emanuel Sharp is a trigger-happy 3-point shooter who comes from a rugged culture in Houston that produces gritty winners who know how to play team defense. Sharp embodied that culture and is one of the top five or six marksmen in this draft class. He is a little undersized for an NBA shooting guard, but he's got enough skill to find a role.
Duke standout Maliq Brown is off to San Antonio. This is the third frontcourt option that the Spurs have added, joining Kentucky's Jayden Quaintance and UConn's Tarris Reed. Brown is a small-ball 5-man with standout defensive traits and a high motor. He was the 2025-26 ACC Defensive Player of the Year who provides switchability and a ton of deflections.
Bilodeau is a stretch forward who drilled 46.4% of his 3-pointers during his senior season at UCLA. That's his calling card, although he was also efficient at the rim for the Bruins, especially in post ups. The measurables and athleticism aren't great for Bilodeau, but he can help on the glass and keep the floor spaced. If you put a smaller defender on him, he will quickly go to work on the block.
Tennessee standout guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie will join the reigning Western Conference champions. Gillespie shot 34% from 3-point range on 305 attempts last season. He's one of the premier pull-up shooters, who also ranked fourth in the SEC in assist rate. Gillespie is a former football player who brings that DNA to the hardwood. He's tough, competitive and plays with a snarl. Gillespie has some Payton Pritchard in the range of potential outcomes. For a Spurs roster that needs more shot-makers, Gillespie makes sense.
Gillespie was a stud at Tennessee after being a stud at Maryland after being a stud at Belmont.
If it ain't broke…
Otega Oweh is a hoss on the perimeter with a strange hitch in his jumper that made him a no-go in the first round. But there's a lot to like here. Oweh is a rugged defender and relentless downhill driver. Though the outside shot is unorthodox and a slow release, it's still serviceable. As a four-year college player with an NBA-ready frame, Oweh can potentially help Oklahoma City early, which is nice since the Thunder are in the heart of a contending window.
Brad Stevens has a type. If the Boston roster-builder is going to use a late-first or second-round pick, it's going to be on a player who plays with exceptional effort and will move without the basketball.
That's Mitchell. The 6-foot-8 wing was one of the Big East's best cutters and defenders. Mitchell can run the point of a fullcourt press. He can guard multiple positions. He will always rebound. Mitchell may never be a shooter, but he's an elite athlete with a motor who never stops revving. That's enough to make a gamble on a potential cheap role player.
Kayil was a quiet riser in this cycle who comes from the top German league, where he operated as a pick-and-roll ball handler for ALBA Berlin. He was formerly a Gonzaga commit. At 6-5, Kayil projects as a point guard with good size at the next level. He only shot it at a 29.2% clip from deep this past season, but there is some real longterm upside here.
The Pacers did not have to look far to find a point guard. Purdue star Braden Smith will have an easy move from West Lafayette to Indianapolis. Smith was the best pass-first point guard in all of college basketball. He is a pick-and-roll maestro who makes others better. Smith is on the smaller end, but his +5 wingspan helps him play bigger. His pull-up jumper is automatic, and the feel for the game is exceptionally high.
Ryan Conwell was one of the best high-volume 3-point shooters in college basketball this past season. He's a lefty with great range who was awesome as a spot-up threat for the Cardinals. Conwell has a sturdy build, and that helps him on defense. But he's somewhat limited offensively at 6-foot-2, and his calling card at the professional level will be as a knockdown perimeter shooter.
Miller was a former ballyhooed recruit who broke out in Year 4 at Cincinnati. The 6-foot-11, 225-pound forward is comfortable playing on the perimeter and put it all together as a jumbo handler who can connect-the-dots, slash to the cup, devour rebounds and defend multiple positions. Miller ranked 12th in Big 12 play in assist rate and third in defensive rebound rate. The jumper is more theoretical, though.
Denver is taking a rangy forward with awesome physical tools in Trevon Brazile. He's been viewed as a potential NBA guy for years because of his length and versatility, but he wisely decided to use all his collegiate eligibility and earning power. He finally broke through this past season on both ends of the floor while playing a pivotal role for a 28-win Arkansas team with tons of talent. Brazile can play the three or four (and maybe even be a small-ball five) in the NBA. He'll turn 24 during his rookie season and doesn't have much of a developmental runway at this point. But Brazile has definite NBA role player potential.
Darius Acuff was the thunder, but Meleek Thomas was the lightning for an Arkansas backcourt that had some dynamic moments. Thomas, who averaged 15.6 points and shot 42% from downtown, can provide instant offense for the Cavs' second unit, assuming Cleveland holds onto James Harden and Donovan Mitchell.
Cleveland landed the No. 34 pick in a trade with Sacramento.
Isaiah Evans slid out of the first round, but he didn't stay on the board long during the second round. He's a big-time shooter with no fear who thrives on spot ups and while running off of screens. There isn't much versatility to his game offensively, and he doesn't project as an elite defender due to the fact that he's only an average athlete. But there's a good chance he'll find a longterm home in the league because of his outside shot.
Richie Saunders did not have to wait long to hear his name called. The 6-foot-5 BYU guard suffered a devastating season-ending injury in February, but he strikes all the right notes as a ready-to-play role player when he gets healthy. Saunders is one of the premier off-ball snipers in college basketball. He's a career 38% 3-point shooter, who mixes in high-energy plays left and right. Saunders is an excellent offensive rebounder and a terrific cutter. He will turn 25 before the regular-season opener.
Age and the knee injury knocked him down the board, but he's ready to play.
