As the dust settles on the 2025 NBA Draft, basketball enthusiasts are already turning their attention to the future. The preparations for the 2026 NBA Draft are well underway, especially after the recent selections of Kentucky players Koby Brea and Amari Williams in the second round, picked No. 41 by the Phoenix Suns and No. 46 by the Boston Celtics, respectively. With these developments, draft experts are quickly releasing their early mock drafts for the upcoming cycle.
Could Mark Pope, who just celebrated a draft pick for the first time in under 24 hours, witness even more Wildcats being called in the 2026 NBA Draft? After analyzing various mock drafts, the consensus suggests that this is a very real possibility. The excitement for the next season is palpable, especially with the spotlight on standout player Jayden Quaintance, who is projected to be a lottery pick.
Despite still being months away from the start of the 2025-26 college basketball season, Jayden Quaintance's name has consistently appeared in the top rankings across several mock drafts. Notable sources such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report, SB Nation, USA Today, and On3 all place Quaintance among the top 14 prospects, with many believing he has the potential to be a top 10 pick. This is particularly impressive given his recovery from an ACL injury, as the Arizona State transfer aims to return to the court in time for the season opener.
At just 17 years old, Quaintance is considered a special talent. ESPN's Jeremy Woo noted, “While Quaintance is quite raw from a skill perspective, particularly his jump shot, and has a lot to learn with his overall technique and ability to process the floor, his extreme youth earns him the benefit of the doubt. NBA scouts will be eager to see whether he can take another step forward after transferring to Kentucky, where he’ll have a major platform to solidify his lottery talent.”
Jayden Quaintance is not the only Wildcat generating buzz in these early mock drafts. Kam Williams, a promising young 3-and-D prospect who transferred from Tulane, has also made appearances on several lists. Ricky O’Donnell from SB Nation even considers Williams a potential first-round selection. Additionally, incoming freshman guard Jasper Johnson is being discussed as another strong candidate for the first round.
Otega Oweh, who returned to Kentucky for his senior season with hopes of becoming a first-round pick, is recognized as the 27th-best prospect in the 2026 draft according to On3’s James Fletcher III.
Here’s a quick overview of the projected draft positions for Kentucky players based on various mock drafts:
ESPN (two-round mock): Jayden Quaintance – 6th, Memphis Grizzlies (via PHX) Kam Williams – 46th CBS Sports (lottery only): Jayden Quaintance – 7th, Toronto Raptors Bleacher Report (first-round mock): Jayden Quaintance – 7th, Memphis Grizzlies (via PHX) SB Nation (first-round mock): Jayden Quaintance – 4th Jasper Johnson – 21st Kam Williams – 30th USA Today (first-round mock): Jayden Quaintance – 8th Kam Williams – 17th On3 (first-round mock): Jayden Quaintance – 7thAs the landscape of college basketball evolves, all eyes will be on these Kentucky Wildcats and their journeys toward the 2026 NBA Draft. With potential stars like Jayden Quaintance leading the charge, the future looks bright for both the players and the program.
