The 2026 NBA Draft will take place next Wednesday, drawing the eyes of basketball fans toward a fresh crop of talent that includes several standout players from the University of Tennessee.
Among the Volunteers, three names dominate the conversation: Nate Ament, Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Felix Okpara. Each brings a distinct skill set, but the player generating the most buzz is Juke Harris, a Wake Forest transfer who has quickly become the roster’s top prospect.
A Prospect Out of the Top 30
Despite a sophomore season that yielded 21.4 points per game, 44.4% shooting from the field and 33.3% from three‑point range, Harris was not listed on an early 2027 NBA Draft Top 30 Big Board from KJScouting. The omission has only sharpened his focus as he prepares for the upcoming season.
Harris capped the year with 87 three‑pointers, earning ACC Most Improved Player honors and a spot on the Second Team All‑ACC. He now aims to refine his defensive responsibilities and evolve into a more complete contributor for Tennessee.
The Volunteers’ incoming class is bolstered by a wave of transfers from programs such as Belmont, Cal, Loyola (Chicago), Notre Dame, VCU and Kennesaw State. Coach Rick Barnes is weaving these pieces together, hoping the blend of experience and youthful energy will translate into a deep tournament run.
The broader landscape of the draft reflects a trend of freshmen and transfers alike vying for the limited slots that will shape the next NBA generation.