The 2026 NBA Draft has become a showcase for Atlantic Coast Conference talent, with a record twelve players from the league hearing their names called across the first two rounds.
A Record Surge of ACC Selections
Four of those prospects entered the draft in the first round, highlighted by Duke forward Cameron Boozer, who was selected third overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson followed at fourth to the Chicago Bulls, while Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. slipped to sixth, landing with the Brooklyn Nets.
The second round proved equally productive for the conference, as Isaiah Evans of Duke became the first ACC player drafted in that segment, going No.33 to the Brooklyn Nets. Louisville’s Ryan Conwell was picked No.37 by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Maliq Brown of Duke went No.44 to the San Antonio Spurs, and Virginia Tech’s Tobi Lawal was selected No.48 by the Dallas Mavericks.
Additional ACC names continued the flow, with Henri Veesaar of North Carolina chosen No.52 by the Los Angeles Clippers, Virginia’s Ugonna Onyenso No.53 by the Houston Rockets, Florida State’s Lajae Jones No.54 by the Golden State Warriors, and SMU’s Jaron Pierre Jr. No.58 by the New Orleans Pelicans.
The accomplishment marks the most ACC draftees since the 2019 class and adds to the conference’s storied history, having produced 214 NBA Draft selections since 2000 — the highest total among all conferences.