Updated April 7, 2026, 1:32 p.m. ET
The USA TODAY Sports Network launched its newest 2026 NBA draft mock on Monday, April 6, main into the nationwide championship recreation of March Madness.
Three Michigan gamers − Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. − are projected first-round picks, and have been all season. The inventory solely rose of their march to the title because the Wolverines won the NCAA title to finish an incredible 37-3 season.
Mara and Johnson each can return to Michigan for what’s once again a loaded roster for the 2026-27 season ought to they select, however Lendeborg, a transfer from UAB and former junior college player, is out of school eligibility.
Here’s a have a look at the draft inventory for all three Michigan gamers, courtesy of Bryan Kalbrosky, senior NBA employees author at USA TODAY’s For The Win. Find all 30 picks for the first round in the full mock draft.
8. Memphis Grizzlies: F Yaxel Lendeborg
- BORN: New Jersey
- HEIGHT: 6-9
- DRAFT AGE: 23
Kalbrosky: The Grizzlies may add to their rebuilding core after buying and selling away Jaren Jackson Jr. by choosing Lendeborg, who has proven on his option to the nationwide championship he’s maybe essentially the most NBA-ready participant on this draft class. The Big Ten participant of the 12 months provides a little bit of the whole lot on either side of the ball and has silenced skeptics who had been not sure how his recreation would scale after transferring from mid-major UAB to high-major Michigan. The Grizzlies have drafted gamers with comparable trajectories in Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward.
[ Yaxel Lendeborg refused to bail on his team. Now he’s a U-M hoops legend. ]
20. San Antonio Spurs (by way of Atlanta Hawks): C Aday Mara
- BORN: Spain
- HEIGHT: 7-3
- DRAFT AGE: 21
Kalbrosky: After main his workforce to the NCAA championship, Mara turned one of many prospects who helped himself essentially the most throughout March Madness. The 7-foot-3 big man, who transferred from UCLA, is a improbable rim protector. Opponents solely tried 20.% of their discipline targets on the rim when the Big Ten defensive participant of the 12 months was on the courtroom, per CBB Analytics, which ranks close to lowest amongst all NCAA gamers. He can even go effectively, discovering some superior outlet appears to be like in transition and on the rim. Especially in brief spurts, Mara would make a wonderful backup to Victor Wembanyama.
26. Los Angeles Lakers: PF Morez Johnson Jr.
- BORN: Illinois
- HEIGHT: 6-9
- DRAFT AGE: 20
Kalbrosky: Johnson is without doubt one of the greatest two-way gamers within the NCAA. He was an important a part of the Michigan identification this season, and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson’s taking pictures type on the free-throw line appears to be like good, and he scores effectively close to the rim, particularly when chopping to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten huge man is a reliable defensive playmaker, too, and will discover minutes on the subsequent stage.
For extra, read the full mock draft.
