2026 NBA Draft ends with 64 New NBA Players
The 2026 NBA Draft came to a close after two nights at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, with 64 players officially beginning their NBA careers.
As expected, the draft delivered more than picks. There were emotional celebrations, surprise selections, last-minute trades, and plenty of decisions that will be debated long after draft night.
The Washington Wizards opened the night by selecting AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick, making him the headline act of this year. The Utah Jazz followed by selecting Cameron Boozer at No. 2, before the Philadelphia 76ers completed the top three with Darryn Peterson.
By the end of the second round, all 64 players had found new NBA homes. For some, it was the realization of a lifelong dream. For others, hearing their name called marked the start of a new challenge as they prepared to compete for roster spots and earn meaningful minutes at the professional level.
With the final pick made, the 2026 NBA Draft officially came to an end, but for the 64 players selected, the journey is only just beginning.
Some will be expected to make an immediate impact, while others will have to earn every opportunity. Regardless of where they were selected, draft night marked the beginning of a new chapter as they prepared to take the next step in their professional careers.
