2026 NBA Mock Draft 1st-Round Predictions Before NCAA Championship

With the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA tournament now in the rearview mirror, the NBA draft is drawing closer.

But first, Michigan and UConn will face off in the national championship game.

UConn opened Saturday's action with a 71-62 win over Illinois before Michigan followed it up with a 91-73 victory over Arizona

As both teams prepare to compete for a national title, here's a look at some NBA draft projections for the first round.

2026 NBA Mock Draft Updated First-Round Predictions

Draft order based on Tankathon's projection.

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU

2. Brooklyn Nets: Darryn Peterson, SG/PG, Kansas

3. Indiana Pacers: Cameron Boozer, PF, Duke

4. Utah Jazz: Caleb Wilson, SF/PF, North Carolina

5. Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston

6. Dallas Mavericks: Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas

7. Atlanta Hawks (via NOP): Keaton Wagler, SG/PG, Illinois

8. Memphis Grizzlies: Nate Ament, SF, Tennessee

9. Chicago Bulls: Brayden Burries, SG/PG, Arizona

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Labaron Philon Jr., PG, Alabama

11. Golden State Warriors: Mikel Brown Jr., PG, Louisville

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Karim López, SF, New Zealand

13. Miami Heat: Hannes Steinbach, PF, Washington

14. Memphis Grizzlies (via ORL): Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, Michigan

15. Chicago Bulls (via POR): Thomas Haugh, PF, Florida

16. Charlotte Hornets: Patrick Ngongba II, C, Duke

17. Charlotte Hornets (via PHX): Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa

18. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI): Braylon Mullins, SG, UConn

19. Toronto Raptors: Cameron Carr, SG, Baylor

20. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Jayden Quaintance, PF, Kentucky

21. Detroit Pistons (via MIN): Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston

22. Atlanta Hawks (via CLE): Koa Peat, PF, Arizona

23. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU): Allen Graves, PF, Santa Clara

24. New York Knicks: Isaiah Evans, SF, Duke

25. Denver Nuggets: Tounde Yessoufou, SG/SF, Baylor

26. Los Angeles Lakers: Morez Johnson Jr., PF, Michigan

27. Boston Celtics: Joshua Jefferson, PF/SF, Iowa State

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET): Christian Anderson, PG, Texas Tech

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SA): Tyler Tanner, PG, Vanderbilt

30. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC): Dailyn Swain, SG/SF, Texas

Although none of the players projected to be selected in the top 10 of the draft are still alive in the tournament, several prospects showcased their potential during March Madness.

Although BYU lost in the first round of the tournament, standout freshman AJ Dybantsa finished with 35 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 11-of-25 from the field in the defeat.

Dybantsa ended his first year with the Cougars averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. He connected on 51.0 percent of his field goals and 33.1 percent of his triples.

Kansas fell to St. John's in the second round of March Madness, but Darryn Peterson displayed his potential as well.

Peterson averaged 24.5 points per game in two NCAA tournament contests, shooting 9-of-20 from three-point territory.

While Cameron Boozer and Duke suffered a last-second loss to UConn in the Elite Eight, Boozer was also a key contributor for the Blue Devils throughout their tournament run.

He recorded 22.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the field during March Madness.

As for Michigan and UConn, they'll face off in the national championship game on Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET.