ESPN’s initial 2027 NBA mock draft, released this week, spotlights three North Carolina prospects who could reshape the early rounds of next year’s draft.
Projected Picks and Player Profiles
Matt Able, a 6‑foot‑7 forward from NC State, is slotted at No. 16 overall in analyst Jeremy Woo’s first‑iteration mock. After a freshman season in which he averaged 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 21.8 minutes per game, Able is eager to cement his status as a first‑round talent. He entered the transfer portal and the NBA Draft process shortly after his rookie year, then boosted his stock with a solid showing at the NBA Draft Combine.
Sayon Keita, a 7‑footer who spent the past season with FC Barcelona’s senior squad in Spain’s Liga ACB and the EuroLeague, is projected at No. 25. In Athens he posted 9.0 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks during pool play, while also contributing 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds across seven Liga ACB appearances. His defensive versatility helped the club capture the Adidas Next Generation EuroLeague under‑18 title.
Neoklis Avdalas, ranked No. 20 overall and the third‑best shooting guard in 247Sports’ transfer‑portal rankings, is expected to hear his name called at No. 53. The Greek forward averaged 12.1 points, 4.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds last season at Virginia Tech, shooting 38.6% from the field and 31.4% from three‑point range. He capped his college career with a stint at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine after four years of high‑level competition in Greece.
The trio’s projections underscore a broader trend of international and transfer‑portal talent infiltrating the early stages of the NBA draft. As the 2027 draft cycle unfolds, each player will look to translate preseason expectations into measurable performance on the court.