NBA Basketball Wiretap

Marcus Spears Jr., ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the 2027 class, is reclassifying to 2026 and committing to Texas, he told ESPN on Thursday. Arizona, LSU and Kentucky had also pursued the 6-foot-10 power forward.

Spears is a Texas native whose sister, Cari, plays volleyball for the Longhorns. He took an official visit to Arizona in late June and made two unofficial visits to Texas, including a trip to Austin on June 16.

"Texas basketball is becoming a big thing again, and I am excited to be part of it," said Spears. "The Texas fans can expect a worker with a lot of energy. I will be trying to bring Texas a national championship."

His father, ESPN analyst and former NFL defensive end Marcus Spears, said the decision carried personal meaning.

"Marcus Jr. grew up in Texas, and there's nothing like playing for your home school and winning," said the elder Spears. "I experienced that growing up in Louisiana at LSU. This is his decision and his future."

Spears, who plays for Dynamic Prep in Texas, averaged 20.9 points and 8.7 rebounds this spring on the Nike EYBL circuit, ranking top 10 nationally in both categories. He also helped Team USA win gold at the 2025 FIBA U16 Men's AmeriCup, averaging a team-high 14.0 points and 6.5 rebounds.

Spears turned 17 in April and will need to spend two seasons in Austin before becoming draft eligible. Spears will play collegiately for at least the upcoming 2026-27 season and in 2027-28. 

His father cited Texas coach Sean Miller's track record developing players like Deandre Ayton and Aaron Gordon as a major factor in the decision.

The reclassification process began about a month ago after Spears' mother, former WNBA player Aiysha Spears, suggested the move. Spears will enter the 2026 SC Next 100 at No. 4 and joins a Texas recruiting class now ranked No. 4 nationally, alongside five-star forward Austin Goosby and four others.

According to Cerebro, only three other players since 2022 have matched Spears' EYBL production of 20 points, 8.5 rebounds and one block across three straight sessions in Cooper Flagg, Cameron Boozer and Tyran Stokes.

Serbian forward Nikola Kusturica has agreed to a multiyear commitment with UCLA, according to sources cited by ESPN. The 17-year-old is considered one of the top European prospects in his class and an early candidate for the No. 1 pick in the 2028 NBA Draft.

Kusturica remains two years away from NBA eligibility. His recruitment featured several shifts over the past month, with Kentucky briefly emerging as the frontrunner before Michigan gained momentum prior to Dusty May's departure for the Dallas Mavericks.

Gonzaga was also involved in pursuing the 6-foot-8 forward.

Kusturica delivered a standout performance at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Turkiye, earning a spot on the tournament's All-Star Five after averaging 24.6 points and 6.9 rebounds across seven games. He also claimed Best Defensive Player honors, adding 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game.

In Serbia's gold medal loss to the United States, Kusturica posted 37 points and nine rebounds.

The performance marked his second consecutive summer establishing himself among the top international prospects. He earned MVP honors at last year's FIBA U16 EuroBasket, averaging 20.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists while leading Serbia to gold.

Kusturica has been part of FC Barcelona's youth system since 2023. He became the youngest player in club history to appear for Barcelona's first team when he made his competitive debut in September 2025.

UCLA coach Mick Cronin is expected to lean heavily on Kusturica despite his youth. The Bruins return three starters from last season's 24-12 squad and add four transfers from power-conference programs, including fellow Europeans Filip Jovic and Sergej Macura.

Early evaluations suggest a significantly thinner class for the 2027 NBA draft than the star-powered groups that preceded it. Kansas-bound forward Tyran Stokes opens atop early projections, but no consensus has formed among NBA front offices this far out.

League executives have described the incoming freshman class as underwhelming compared to recent years, with the 2027 draft drawing comparisons to 2024, when no clear-cut top pick emerged and teams were widely split on valuations. The international pool is also considered below average.

Stokes, a 6-foot-7 point forward, holds a slight edge over his peers due to his size, athleticism and playmaking vision. However, NBA scouts have flagged concerns about his shooting consistency, decision-making and on-court temperament. Kansas coach Bill Self will be tasked with developing him over what is expected to be a single college season.

"Whether Stokes remains at No. 1 a year from now will depend largely on his ability to assuage teams' concerns," ESPN's Jeremy Woo wrote. "He will be under heavy scrutiny from Day 1 as teams dig deep into his background and try to make sense of his No. 1 candidacy."

Should Stokes struggle, Arkansas guard Jordan Smith Jr. and Arizona combo guard Caleb Holt are viewed as alternative top candidates.

The 2027 draft will also be the first conducted under the NBA's new lottery rules, which flatten odds and expand the lottery pool to 16 teams. No team can win the lottery in consecutive years or have a pick land in the top five in three straight drafts, effectively reducing the incentive for intentional losing.

Notable returners from the 2026 class add depth to the pool. UConn guard Braylon Mullins and Florida forward Thomas Haugh, who each ranked inside the top 20 on ESPN's 2026 board, opted to remain in school and figure prominently in early 2027 projections.

ESPN's Early 2027 NBA Mock Draft

1. Sacramento Kings: Tyran Stokes, SF, 6-7, Freshman, Kansas
2. Chicago Bulls: Jordan Smith Jr., PG/SG, 6-2, Freshman, Arkansas
3. Memphis Grizzlies: Caleb Holt, SG/PG, 6-5, Freshman, Arizona
4. Houston Rockets (via Brooklyn): Bruce Branch III, SG/SF, 6-7, Freshman, BYU
5. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans): Stefan Joksimovic, PG, 6-7, Freshman, Baskonia (Spain)
6. New Orleans Pelicans (via Milwaukee): Braylon Mullins, SG, 6-6, Sophomore, UConn
7. Memphis Grizzlies (via Utah): Thomas Haugh, SF/PF, 6-9, Senior, Florida
8. Charlotte Hornets (via Dallas): Jason Crowe Jr., PG/SG, 6-3, Freshman, Missouri
9. Washington Wizards: Anthony Thompson, SF/PF, 6-9, Freshman, Ohio State
10. Houston Rockets (via Phoenix): Cameron Williams, F/C, 6-11, Freshman, Duke
11. Caleb Gaskins, PF, Miami | Freshman
12. Miikka Muurinen, PF, Arkansas | Freshman
13. Austin Goosby, PG/SG, Texas | Freshman
14. Motiejus Krivas, C, Arizona | Senior
15. Luigi Suigo, C, Villanova | Freshman
16. Matt Able, SG, North Carolina | Sophomore
17. Alex Condon, PF/C, Florida | Senior
18. Dame Sarr, SG, Duke | Sophomore
19. Cameron Houindo, PF, Cedevita | France
20. Christian Collins, SF, USC | Freshman
21. Babatunde Oladotun, SF, Maryland | Freshman
22. Jaxon Richardson, SF, Alabama | Freshman
23. Brandon McCoy, SG, Michigan | Freshman
24. Hugo Yimga-Moukouri, SF, Nanterre | France
25. Sayon Keita, C, North Carolina | Freshman
26. Amari Allen, SF, Alabama | Sophomore
27. Ivan Kharchenkov, SF, Arizona | Sophomore
28. Patrick Ngongba II, C, Duke | Sophomore
29. Juke Harris, SG, Tennessee | Sophomore
30. Tyler Tanner, PG, Vanderbilt | Junior
31. Malachi Moreno, C, Kentucky | Sophomore
32. Cheickh Niang, SG, Trento | Italy
33. Colben Landrew, SG, UConn | Freshman
34. Obinna Ekezie Jr., C, Louisville | Freshman
35. Trey McKenney Jr., SG, Michigan | Sophomore
36. Quentin Coleman, PG, Illinois | Freshman
37. Dylan Mingo, PG, Baylor | Freshman
38. Stefan Vaaks, SG/PG, Illinois | Sophomore
39. Milan Momcilovic, PF, Kentucky | Senior
40. Dash Daniels, PG/SG, Melbourne United | Australia
41. Massamba Diop, C, Gonzaga | Sophomore
42. Tounde Yessoufou, SG/SF, St. John's | Sophomore
43. Moustapha Thiam, C, Michigan | Junior
44. David Mirkovic, SF/PF, Illinois | Sophomore
45. Miles Byrd, SG, Providence | Senior
46. Joseph Tugler, PF, Houston | Senior
47. Flory Bidunga, C, Louisville | Junior
48. Shelton Henderson, SG, Miami | Sophomore
49. Davis Fogle, SG, Gonzaga | Sophomore
50. Jacob Cofie, SF/PF, USC | Sophomore
51. Rueben Chinyelu, C, Florida | Senior
52. Billy Richmond III, SG/SF, Arkansas | Junior
53. Neoklis Avdalas, SF, North Carolina | Sophomore
54. Sam Lewis, SG, Virginia | Senior
55. Pryce Sandfort, SF, Nebraska | Senior
56. Matas Vokietaitis, C, Texas | Junior
57. Andrej Stojakovic, SG, Illinois | Senior
58. Jeremy Fears Jr., PG, Michigan State | Junior
59. Killyan Toure, SG/PG, Iowa State | Sophomore
60. John Blackwell, SG, Duke | Senior

ESPN and ABC's broadcast of the 2026 NBA Draft first round averaged 4.2 million viewers Tuesday night, a 10% increase from the prior year, the network announced. The audience peaked at 5.5 million viewers during the 8:15 p.m. ET quarter hour.

AJ Dybantsa went first overall to the Washington Wizards, followed by Darryn Peterson to the Utah Jazz at No. 2, Cameron Boozer to the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 3, Caleb Wilson to the Chicago Bulls at No. 4 and Keaton Wagler to the Los Angeles Clippers at No. 5.

The NBA Draft Preview on ESPN averaged 1 million viewers, also up 10% year over year. The 2025 draft, headlined by Cooper Flagg going No. 1 to the Dallas Mavericks and Dylan Harper second to the San Antonio Spurs, served as the prior year comparison.

By comparison, the NFL draft averaged 13.2 million viewers earlier this year, which was down from 13.6 million in 2025.

Narcisse Ngoy, a French center who signed with Auburn in the spring, was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers via the Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the NBA Draft in a draft-and-stash move. The 7-footer reaffirmed his commitment to play for the Tigers in 2026-27 shortly after his selection.

"I am thankful for the LA Clippers' confidence in me," Ngoy wrote on his Instagram story. "I fully intend to honor my commitment to Auburn University, and I am looking forward to wearing the Auburn Tigers jersey for the 2026-2027 season."

A draft-and-stash selection allows a team to secure a player's rights without requiring him to join the NBA roster immediately. The practice is common with international prospects but this is the first time it has occurred collegiately.

Ngoy joins Auburn after playing professionally in France's Elite 2 League. He has not yet appeared for the Tigers, making him the second consecutive Auburn-affiliated player drafted without having suited up for the program.

Head coach Steven Pearl praised Ngoy's skill set when he signed with the program earlier this year.

"He's a high-upside young man who brings toughness, physicality, and a team-first mindset to everything he does," said Pearl. "His instincts, ability to catch and finish around the basket, rim protection, and willingness to embrace contact will make him an immediate impact while filling a huge need for our team."

The New York Knicks exited the first round trading out of it and owning the No. 31 pick and traded it to the Houston Rockets for No. 39 and No. 53 along with a 2029 second rounder from the Sacramento Kings.

2026 NBA Draft Second Round Results:

31. Houston Rockets: Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
32. Memphis Grizzlies: Richie Saunders, BYU
33. Minnesota Timberwolves: Isaiah Evans, Duke
34. Cleveland Cavaliers: Meleek Thomas, Arkansas
35. Denver Nuggets: Trevon Brazile, Arkansas
36. Los Angeles Clippers: Baba Miller, Cincinnati
37. Miami Heat: Ryan Conwell, Louisville
38. Indiana Pacers: Braden Smith, Purdue 
39. New York Knicks: Jack Kayil, ALBA Berlin
40. Boston Celtics: Dillon Mitchell, St. John's
41. Oklahoma City Thunder: Otega Oweh, Kentucky
42. San Antonio Spurs: Ja’Kobi Gillespie, Tennessee
43. Brooklyn Nets: Tyler Bilodeau, UCLA
44. San Antonio Spurs: Maliq Brown, Duke
45. Sacramento Kings: Emmanuel Sharpe, Houston
46. Washington Wizards: Felix Okpara, Tennessee
47. New York Knicks: Tyler Nickel, Vanderbilt
48. Dallas Mavericks: Tobi Lawal, Virginia Tech
49. Denver Nuggets: Bryce Hopkins, St. John's
50. Toronto Raptors: Jaden Bradley, Arizona
51. Orlando Magic: Izaiyah Nelson, South Florida
52. Atlanta Hawks: Henri Veesaar, North Carolina
53. Detroit Pistons: Ugonna Onyenso, Virginia
54. Golden State Warriors: Lajae Jones, Florida State
55. Los Angeles Clippers: Nick Martinelli, Northwestern
56. Dallas Mavericks: Vsevolod Ishchenko, Lokomotiv
57. Los Angeles Clippers: Narcisse Ngoy, Auburn
58. New Orleans Pelicans: Jaron Pierre Jr., SMU
59. Minnesota Timberwolves: Trey Kaufman-Renn, Purdue
60. Milwaukee Bucks: Malique Lewis, South East Melbourne Phoenix

The Sacramento Kings acquired No. 29 pick Alex Karaban from the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night.

The Cavs will receive the No. 34 pick in Wednesday's second round and a future second-rounder.

Karaban averaged 13.2 points and 5.3 rebounds at UConn last season.

The New York Knicks traded No. 25 pick Sergio De Larrea to the Dallas Mavericks for No. 30 pick Koa Peat and two second-round picks.

The Knicks then traded Peat to the Suns for three second-round picks and cash. One of the second-round picks includes No. 47 on Wednesday night.

The Knicks currently have the No. 31, No. 47, and No. 55 pick in this year's second round. 

Shams Charania of ESPN is also reporting that the team is expected to move the No. 31 pick.

The San Antonio Spurs traded No. 35 and two future second round picks to the Denver Nuggets for the draft rights to Tarris Reed Jr.

The Nuggets will receive substantial savings in trading down from the salary slot of No. 26 amid significant luxury tax concerns.

The Nuggets are hopeful of re-siging Peyton Watson in restricted free agency.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver declared Tuesday that the league's new anti-tanking rules represent a permanent shift in philosophy, regardless of what adjustments may come after the current three-year trial period expires following the 2029 draft.

"We'll never go back to where we were," Silver told ESPN ahead of the draft.

Silver said the problem reached a tipping point this past season, driven in part by the perceived strength of the 2026 draft class, which created widespread incentive for franchises to finish as low as possible in the standings.

"We ended up in a situation where fans of teams were actually rooting for their teams to be bad," said Silver. "It was particularly bad this year, I think, because of the perceived depth of (the 2026 NBA) Draft."

Under the revised lottery structure, the three worst teams in the league drop from a 14 percent chance of landing the top pick to 5.4 percent. Teams finishing fourth through 10th worst now each carry an 8.1 percent chance at the No. 1 selection.

Silver acknowledged a potential drawback of franchises genuinely attempting to win but falling into the bottom three could struggle to acquire the high picks needed to rebuild, risking a prolonged competitive cycle. The league committed to reassessing the system after three years to evaluate its effectiveness.

"But most importantly, we will not be returning to a system where there is an incentive to be bad," Silver said.