The 2026 NBA Draft concluded with a highly anticipated first round that saw a heavy concentration of college talent. Here is a review of the winners and losers from the opening night of the draft, focusing on the top 10 selections.
The Top 10 Picks
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
| 1 | Washington Wizards | AJ Dybantsa | F | BYU |
| 2 | Utah Jazz | Darryn Peterson | G | Kansas |
| 3 | Memphis Grizzlies | Cameron Boozer | F/C | Duke |
| 4 | Chicago Bulls | Caleb Wilson | F | North Carolina |
| 5 | LA Clippers | Keaton Wagler | G | Illinois |
| 6 | Brooklyn Nets | Mikel Brown Jr. | G | Louisville |
| 7 | Sacramento Kings | Darius Acuff Jr. | G | Arkansas |
| 8 | Atlanta Hawks | Kingston Flemings | G | Houston |
| 9 | Dallas Mavericks | Morez Johnson Jr. | F/C | Michigan |
| 10 | Milwaukee Bucks | Brayden Burries | G | Arizona |
Winners of the Night
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Milwaukee Bucks: Despite the high-profile trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks had a standout draft. Landing Brayden Burries at No. 10 is widely viewed as a “steal” of the draft, and they successfully pivoted to take high-upside forward Nate Ament with the No. 13 pick they acquired in the blockbuster trade.
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Chicago Bulls: The Bulls’ new leadership, led by Bryson Graham, earned high marks for their inaugural draft. Selecting Caleb Wilson at No. 4 was praised as a perfect fit for a team looking to upgrade their defensive athleticism. Adding Dailyn Swain at No. 15 further signaled a strategic shift toward a faster, more modern transition offense.
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Memphis Grizzlies: By securing Cameron Boozer at No. 3, the Grizzlies added a high-IQ, “analytical monster” to their frontcourt. Beyond the talent, their ability to maneuver the draft board—trading back to accumulate future assets while still securing elite talent—was a masterclass in front-office efficiency.
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Michigan Wolverines (The Program): While the university’s fans might be reeling from their coach’s departure, the program saw three players (Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara, and Yaxel Lendeborg) selected within the top 12 picks, a testament to the talent assembled during their 2026 national championship season.
Losers of the Night
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Toronto Raptors: Analysts expressed frustration with the Raptors’ draft strategy. Facing a clear need for backcourt playmaking, they passed on high-ceiling guard prospects in the late teens and instead selected forward Allen Graves at No. 19. Critics argued that Graves overlaps with existing roster strengths rather than addressing the team’s primary offensive deficiencies.
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Dallas Mavericks: While landing Morez Johnson Jr. adds interior size, some analysts were critical of the pick, arguing that it represents a low-upside choice for a team that should be looking to maximize the window of their current stars.
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Non-College Prospects: The draft reinforced a trend of prioritizing collegiate polish. The first eight picks were all college freshmen, and the top 12 were dominated by collegiate stars, leaving high-school-to-pro hopefuls and international prospects (outside of elite standouts) facing a colder market than in previous years.
The “Big 12” Dominance
A massive storyline from the night was the Big 12 Conference’s record-breaking performance. The conference saw a record nine players selected in the first round, including the first two picks overall (Dybantsa and Peterson). It was a historic night that solidified the conference as the premier pipeline for top-tier NBA talent in the 2026 cycle.
