The 2026 NBA Draft kicks off with the first round on Tuesday night in Brooklyn, followed by the second round on Wednesday night.
For Tennessee fans following the draft, prepare to lock in for both nights of coverage. The Vols have three draft candidates from last season’s Elite Eight roster, with one projected for the first round and two projected for the second round.
The three candidates include freshman wing Nate Ament, senior guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie, and senior forward Felix Okpara.
Here’s a look at where some of the top NBA Draft experts project all three Volunteers just hours before the event begins on Tuesday night:
- Nate Ament: No. 9, Dallas Mavericks
- Ja’Kobi Gillespie: No. 41, Miami Heat
- Felix Okpara: No. 42, San Antonio Spurs
Yahoo! Sports (Kevin O’Connor)
- Nate Ament: No. 10, Milwaukee Bucks
- Felix Okpara: No. 47, Phoenix Suns
- Ja’Kobi Gillespie: No. 51, Washington Wizards
- Nate Ament: No. 10, Milwaukee Bucks
- Felix Okpara: No. 38, Chicago Bulls
- Ja’Kobi Gillespie: No. 55, New York Knicks
Bleacher Report (Jonathan Wasserman)
- Nate Ament: No. 10, Milwaukee Bucks
- Ja’Kobi Gillespie: No. 46, Orlando Magic
- Felix Okpara: No. 52, Los Angeles Clippers
- Nate Ament: No. 10, Milwaukee Bucks
- Ja’Kobi Gillespie: No. 49, Denver Nuggets
- Felix Okpara: No. 54, Golden State Warriors
More From RTI: Where Tennessee Basketball Lands in Jon Rothstein’s Offseason Rankings (With Projected Lineup)
Nate Ament: 35 GP, 16.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 39.9 FG%
Ja’Kobi Gillespie: 37 GP, 18.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 5.4 APG, 41.0 FG%
Felix Okpara: 35 GP, 8.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 0.5 APG, 59.7 FG%
The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft will air on Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC. The second round will then take place at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday night on ESPN.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for full coverage of the event this week.
