
The 2026 MLB Draft Reshapes College Baseball
Only 45 high school players were chosen in the first 135 picks, as college programs leveraged name, image and likeness agreements to retain top prospects and reshape the draft landscape.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Keon Johnson across Basketball, Baseball.

Only 45 high school players were chosen in the first 135 picks, as college programs leveraged name, image and likeness agreements to retain top prospects and reshape the draft landscape.

The 2026 MLB draft in Philadelphia showcased an unprecedented number of high school players drafted across multiple rounds, reflecting the growing influence of high school baseball on the professional pipeline.
Vanderbilt expects at least five top‑100 prospects to join the program, while key undrafted players consider returning for another season.
Day one of the 2026 MLB Draft saw six Vanderbilt signees selected, highlighting a top‑ranked class that still holds several high‑profile names on the board.
Keon Johnson, a highly ranked prospect from Vanderbilt, was drafted by the Houston Astros and is expected to sign, ending his college commitment.

Strength coach Garrett Medenwald is reshaping the Volunteers with a focus on movement efficiency, player‑driven accountability and veteran mentorship.

Director of Sports Performance Garrett Medenwald details the team's focus on chemistry, player‑driven accountability and the impact of returning veterans as Tennessee prepares for the upcoming season.
Vanderbilt baseball’s 2026 recruiting class has been crowned the nation’s top class by Perfect Game, featuring 12 top‑100 commits and a blend of five‑star and four‑star talent.

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.

Senior guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie was selected 42nd overall in the 2026 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs, capping a record‑breaking college career that reshaped Tennessee basketball.
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.

Nate Ament’s invitation to the 2026 NBA Draft green room highlights his rise from a injury‑plagued season at Tennessee to a projected first‑round selection.

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.

On May 23, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins will headline a celebrity basketball game at his alma mater, Oak Ridge High School, to raise money for charity. The event will feature a mix of former NFL and NBA players, local prospects, and other celebrities.

A charity basketball game scheduled for May 23 at Oak Ridge High School will bring together former professionals and college stars to raise funds for community initiatives.