March 20, 2026, 12:22 p.m. ET
March Madness is underway and as we speak’s school stars have an opportunity to cement themselves on this summer time’s NBA draft class. The 2026 draft is expected to happen in late June. In USA TODAY’s newest mock draft, Kentucky’s Jayden Quaintance is expected to go within the first spherical.
Here’s how USA TODAY at the moment tasks the ahead’s draft evening will play out.
Jayden Quaintance 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 13 general, Charlotte Hornets
All picks primarily based on Tankathon lottery projection
Kalbrosky’s Analysis:
Jayden Quaintance recorded only one begin throughout his sophomore marketing campaign and is extremely unlikely to return to the courtroom once more this season as he recovers from a torn ACL, meniscus and fractured knee. But the sophomore huge man is nonetheless one of many youngest gamers on this class and has proven flashes throughout his time at Arizona State and Kentucky. When wholesome, he is arguably essentially the most gifted defender on this draft class and will assist a crew that desperately wants frontcourt assist, just like the Hornets.
See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here
Jayden Quaintance participant profile
(all stats as of March 15)
- Position: Forward
- Current Team: Kentucky
- 5 factors per recreation
- 5 rebounds per recreation
- 0.5 assists per recreation
- 57.1% discipline aim share
- 0.0% three-point discipline aim share
Charlotte Hornets 2026 projected draft picks
- No. 13, No. 20 (through PHX) and No. 42 (through GS)
All picks primarily based on Tankathon lottery projection
