This looks like it will be the most college basketball-heavy draft in a long time
The 2026 NBA Draft is projected to be one of the most NCAA-heavy in modern history, largely due to NIL money.
Prior to Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg being drafted first overall in 2025, two international players were taken in the top spot back-to-back years: Victor Wembanyama in 2023, followed by Zaccharie Risacher in 2024. The NBA Draft had taken such a European flavor that many talking heads were starting to wonder what was wrong with the American basketball system. Well, 2026 will look more like things used to.
If anything, even more so than usual, as, if draft projections are to be believed, we are looking at an NBA Draft first round coming up in 2026 with almost all 30 players being taken (all but one, to be exact) hailing from the American college basketball system and none from the professional route in Europe or Asia. Currently, the 2026 HoopsHype aggregate mock draft is shaping up to be the most NCAA-heavy draft in modern history, with only one non-NCAA prospect ( Karim López ) in the Top 40. Lopez is currently No.
13 in our aggregate mock draft, a forward of Mexican descent who last played for the New Zealand Breakers. Outside of Lopez, the next highest-projected non-NCAA player is Sergio de Larrea, who does not appear in our aggregate mock draft until the No. 43 spot.
The last time we saw such a stark juxtaposition between college basketball players taken in the first round vs. professionals from overseas was in 1997, when the only player taken in the first round not from the NCAA or from high school was No. 18 pick Chris Anstey , who was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers.