The NBA barely has a chance to catch its breath following the New York Knicks’ thrilling NBA Finals victory before the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft begins next Tuesday, Jun. 23.
While everyone is familiar with top year’s prospects, below, we examine the deep cuts in the class.
Here are five players potentially under consideration for Round 2 on Wednesday, each with a trait that sets them apart.
Special skill: Rebounding | Overshadowed on an 2025-26 Arizona roster that included likely lottery pick Brayden Burries, plus potential first-rounder Koa Peat and senior guard Jaden Bradley, Awaka, 22, still carved out a vital role in the Wildcats rotation as an elite rebounder.
As the following graph from college basketball statistician Evan Miyakawa in December 2025 showed, he was head and shoulders above his peers.
