Three Michigan Players Drafted in First Round of 2026 NBA Draft
The Wolverines became one of five programs with three lottery picks in one draft and tied a school record, officials said.
- On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the Oklahoma City Thunder selected 7-foot-3 Michigan center Aday Mara with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center in New York.
- After transferring from UCLA, Mara anchored Michigan's national championship defense, averaging 12.1 points and 2.6 blocks per game as a junior in his lone season in Ann Arbor.
- Standing 7-foot-3 with a 7-foot-6 wingspan and 9-foot-9 standing reach, Mara offers elite rim protection and high-level passing that NBA evaluators specifically value for frontcourt depth.
- Joining Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein in the frontcourt, Mara gives Oklahoma City a defensive option to match up against elite big men like Victor Wembanyama.
- Bolstering its backcourt, Oklahoma City also acquired Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz from the Memphis Grizzlies in a trade, adding shooting and playmaking depth alongside the Mara selection.
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62 Articles
Michigan Sends Three to Top 12 of NBA Draft After Title Run
Photo: Brad Penner ~ Imagn ImagesAnn Arbor, Mich. ~ Michigan’s national championship run carried straight into the NBA spotlight Tuesday night, as three Wolverines heard their names called early in the 2026 NBA Draft. Michigan placed three players in the top 12, a reflection of how dominant Dusty May’s roster in Ann Arbor truly was. The trio of forward Morez Johnson Jr., forward Yaxel Lendeborg and center Aday Mara didn’t just win games this pas…
Bennett Stirtz selected 16th overall in NBA Draft
Bennett Stirtz is the newest Iowa Hawkeye basketball player to make it to the NBA. Tuesday night, Stirtz was selected 16th by the Memphis Grizzlies and then traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. In his lone season at Iowa, Stirtz led the Hawkeyes in points, assists, and steals. Prior to his time at Iowa, Stirtz [...]
During the first round of elections
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