
Three Tennessee Volunteers Selected in 2026 NBA Draft
The NBA Draft saw three Tennessee alumni hear their names called, marking a milestone for the Volunteers program.
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The NBA Draft saw three Tennessee alumni hear their names called, marking a milestone for the Volunteers program.

Nigerian forward Felix Okpara was chosen by the Orlando Magic in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft before being dealt to the Washington Wizards, bringing a defensive mindset and a unique personal history to the capital.

Selected in the second round, Gillespie brings a blend of scoring, playmaking and defensive versatility to the Spurs, joining a Volunteers lineage that has produced dozens of NBA players over the past two decades.

Recent draft selections face steep challenges as crowded lineups restrict their playing time and growth prospects.
Nate Ament, the 6‑foot‑10 forward from Tennessee, was selected 13th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2026 NBA Draft. Known for his scoring and defensive potential, he averaged 16.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in his freshman season and is expected to develop his three‑point shooting and adapt to the NBA's physicality.

Nate Ament is slated to hear his name called in the opening round of the 2026 NBA Draft, joining a lineage of Volunteers who have turned college success into professional opportunities.

Over the past ten years, ten Tennessee basketball players have transitioned to the NBA, with recent draftees continuing the tradition at the 2024 and 2025 drafts.

The NBA draft will descend upon the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, this week, turning the iconic arena into a stage for 60 selections spread across two rounds. The event will be televised nationally by ESPN and streamed on ABC, bringing the drama to millions of viewers. Tennessee's basketball program, under head coach Rick Barnes, has produced 57 all‑time NBA draft picks, and a steady stream of alumni are being selected each year, highlighting the university's growing influence on the professional game.

From the first Vol selected in 1948 to the latest prospects under coach Rick Barnes, Tennessee has consistently contributed talent to the NBA draft.

Tennessee’s basketball program has produced 57 NBA draft picks, with ten emerging under coach Rick Barnes since 2015, highlighting a legacy that continues into the upcoming draft.

Over the past decade, Tennessee under coach Rick Barnes has produced a steady stream of NBA draft picks, highlighted by top‑10 prospect Nate Ament and recent second‑round prospects Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Felix Okpara.

A deep dive into which collegiate programs can field the most NBA‑ready talent, based on current league stars and upcoming draft prospects.

A ranking evaluates which NCAA programs could field the strongest NBA‑ready starting five using current roster talent and upcoming draft prospects, highlighting the depth and NBA readiness of each school.
Former Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs announced his marriage to Jocelyn Lara on social media, revealing the nuptials to his followers on June 5.

VCU transfer Christian Fermin has signed with the University of Tennessee, bringing his defensive versatility and rebounding prowess to a program undergoing a major offseason transformation.

Tennessee has added VCU transfer Christian Fermin to its top‑ranked transfer portal class, bringing size, shot‑blocking and a familiar teammate connection to the Volunteers.