NBA Draft 2026: Best players available for Round 2
The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft is in the books, but there’s still plenty of talent available heading into Wednesday’s second round. Here’s who’s left on the board for Round 2.
Rankings are from Kevin O’Connor’s top 100 prospects entering the 2026 draft.
24. Meleek Thomas, 6-5, Arkansas freshman guard
Thomas has the confidence to "run for president," according to Arkansas head coach John Calipari. You could see that on the court the way he never hesitated to fire, stepped right into the lead role when Darius Acuff was sidelined at Missouri to close the regular season, and willed Arkansas to the SEC championship game with 29 against Ole Miss. He's a legit NBA shooter with deep range, a quick release, and creation juice off the bounce. But he doesn't get to the rim, his shot selection drifts into hero-ball, and there are questions about how he'll deal with NBA physicality at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds.
26. Henri Veesaar, 6-11, North Carolina junior big
Veesaar is an agile big with real shooting touch, connective playmaking, and baseline big skills with the ability to set screens and catch lobs. He also offers rim protection and is a locked-in help defender. In all three of his collegiate seasons, he made a massive leap in production each year. But he's 227 pounds so his lanky frame can get pushed around, plus he still hasn't fully defined his cornerstone skill.
27. Richie Saunders, 6-5, BYU senior wing
Saunders is a hard-nosed, two-way wing who plays with manic energy, hustling around the floor hunting for steals on defense and jumpers on offense. The team that gets him knows exactly what they're gonna get out of him. He's also skilled, though, with a quick-trigger jumper, soft touch on floaters, and a feel for moving the ball. With less than ideal size and athleticism, he more likely projects as a solid role player. But he's not a guarantee to succeed at age 25 after tearing his ACL in February, ending his four-year career at BYU.
28. Isaiah Evans, Duke sophomore wing
Evans is the kind of shooter that defenses guard and think they've got him contained, then he uses a screen and catches it off a full sprint, moving away from the rim, and he somehow manages to rise into a perfect 3-pointer. He's a legitimate sharpshooter with the off-ball chops to thrive without even running any offense for himself, and he also has a developing handle that could unlock more creation chances. But he's still a perimeter-based player who needs to add more layers to his game to become a complete offensive talent.
29. Jack Kayil, 6-4, Alba Berlin guard
Kayil is a combo guard with a strong frame, a feel for the game that exceeds his youth, and the grit to become a high-level defender. He just became one of the youngest players to ever win the German League's Under-22 Player of the Year, joining Franz Wagner and Dennis Schroder on a list that bodes well for his NBA prospects. He committed to Gonzaga back in October, but has decided to stay in the draft — a decision that surprised some scouts since he has yet to prove he can shoot consistently or run an offense full-time. But there's no denying his upside and he could end up one of the late risers in this class.
