We're a few weeks into college basketball season, and excitement around the 2026 draft has continued to build, with a host of star freshmen headlining the class and taking quickly to the next level. Now is a good time to roll out our first mock draft of the season.
NBA executives have benefitted from a convenient November schedule that has included a number of meaningful prospect matchups, including the Champions Classic (Nov. 18) and next week's Players Era championship in Las Vegas, which includes 18 teams and more prospect-laden matchups. This continues to be viewed as one of the stronger drafts in recent memory, with high-level players at the top of the board, as well as developing depth in the first round.