The 2026 NBA Draft is already generating buzz as three former Tennessee Volunteers stand out among early projections. Nate Ament, Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Felix Okpara each bring distinct skill sets that have attracted attention from analysts and fans alike.
Ament’s lottery buzz
Ament’s combination of size, shooting and rebounding has placed him firmly in the lottery conversation. He averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a steal while shooting 40% overall and 33.3% from three-point range. Analysts project he could be selected anywhere between picks 10 and 13, with the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat among the teams linked to him.
Gillespie and Okpara near the second round
Gillespie led the Volunteers in scoring with 18.4 points per game, adding 5.4 assists and 2.1 steals across all 37 appearances. Okpara contributed 8.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks, anchoring a defense that ranked among the nation’s best. Both are currently viewed as second‑round prospects, with varying forecasts on their exact landing spots.
Team outlooks and analyst picks
Bryan Kalbrosky of USA TODAY predicts Ament will join the Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 12, while Bleacher Report and The Athletic echo that connection. ESPN’s latest mock draft slots Ament at No. 10 to the Milwaukee Bucks, and Sports Illustrated envisions a trade that sends him to Milwaukee at No. 13. The Athletic also forecasts Gillespie landing with the Toronto Raptors at No. 50 and Okpara heading to the Dallas Mavericks at No. 48, though ESPN’s mock places them back‑to‑back at No. 41 and 42 for the Heat and San Antonio Spurs.
How each team decides to use these players could shape their early development. Ament’s slender 6‑10 frame may need time to adapt to the NBA’s physicality, but his potential to become a star makes him an attractive lottery asset. Gillespie’s playmaking and defensive instincts, coupled with Okpara’s shot‑blocking presence, could provide immediate impact for the clubs that select them in the second round.