Big Ten Nets 6 First Round Selections in 2026 NBA Draft

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Six former Big Ten student-athletes were selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, held on Tuesday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. This marks the third time in the last four years that at least five Big Ten players have been selected in the draft’s opening round.

Big Ten Freshman of the Year Keaton Wagler from Illinois was selected No. 5 overall by the Los Angeles Clippers, becoming the second-highest draft pick ever at Illinois and the highest since Deron Williams went No. 3 overall in 2005.

Michigan became the fifth program in NBA Draft history to produce at least three lottery selections in a single draft since the lottery expanded to 14 picks in 2004, as Morez Johnson Jr., Yaxel Lendeborg, and Aday Mara were selected No. 9, No. 11, and No. 12, respectively. Michigan matched a program record with three first-round selections in the same draft, equaling the 1990 NBA Draft.

Washington freshman Hannes Steinbach came off the board at No. 14, selected by the Charlotte Hornets, becoming the highest drafted Husky since Markelle Fultz was drafted first overall in 2017.

The Memphis Grizzlies selected Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz No. 16 overall before trading him to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Stirtz becomes the 12th Hawkeye taken in the first round, and just the third point guard, joining Ronnie Lester and B.J. Armstrong.

The 2026 NBA Draft will continue from Brooklyn on Wednesday, as the second round is slated to begin at 8 p.m. ET.

2026 NBA Draft - Big Ten Draft Selections
5. Keaton Wagler, ILL – Los Angeles Clippers
9. Morez Johnson Jr., MICH – Dallas Mavericks
11. Yaxel Lendeborg, MICH – Golden State Warriors
12. Aday Mara, MICH – Oklahoma City Thunder
14. Hannes Steinbach, WASH – Charlotte Hornets
16. Bennett Stirtz, IOWA – Memphis Grizzlies (Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder)