The NBA Finals have concluded, and basketball fans now have their sights set on the 2026 NBA Draft.
As has been the case since the late 1970s, the NBA draft will take place in June, during the league’s offseason. Since draft rounds were reduced from seven to three in 1988, and then to two starting in 1989, roughly 60 players have heard their names called each year.
Here is how to watch the 2026 NBA draft, including the projections for former Hawkeyes and Cyclones stars.
When is the 2026 NBA draft?
The 2026 NBA Draft is set to kick off with Round 1 on Tuesday, June 23, followed by Round 2 on Wednesday, June 24. Each night’s selections are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. CT.
Where is the 2026 NBA draft?
The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York— home of the Nets — will host the 2026 NBA draft.
How to watch the NBA draft
The first round of the NBA draft will be available on ABC and ESPN, or via the ESPN app. Interested fans can also stream the first night of the draft with Fubo. The second round of the NBA draft will also air on ESPN, but not on ABC.
Watch the NBA Draft with a free Fubo trial
2026 NBA Draft projections: Will Bennett Stirtz be drafted?
Former Drake and Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz is currently projected to be the next player from an Iowa university drafted into the NBA.
Stirtz was the focal point of Iowa’s offense last season, averaging 19.8 points, 4.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. He was named first team All-Big Ten by the media and second team All-Big Ten by the coaches and led the Hawkeyes to their first Elite Eight appearance since 1987.
Bleacher Report has Stirtz being selected with the 16th pick by the Memphis Grizzlies (via Phoenix Suns) in the upcoming draft. Here is where other mock drafts have Stirtz going:
The Murray twins were the last two Hawkeyes to go in the first round. Keegan was the fourth overall pick in 2022 by the Sacramento Kings, and the Portland Trail Blazers drafted Kris with the 23rd overall pick in 2023.
2026 NBA Draft projections: Will Joshua Jefferson be drafted?
Former Cyclone Joshua Jefferson is projected by most mock drafts to be Iowa State’s first NBA draftee since Tyrese Haliburton in 2020.
Jefferson, a three-star recruit at Saint Mary’s who transferred to Iowa State ahead of the 2024 season, concluded his time with the Cyclones as a consensus All-American and two-time All-Big 12 selection. Last season, he averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per game, while shooting 47.1% overall across 35 games.
ESPN has Jefferson being selected with the 28th pick by the Brooklyn Nets (via a previous trade with Detroit and Minnesota). Here is where other mock drafts have Jefferson going
Former Iowa State star Tamin Lipsey entered the draft automatically after the completion of his senior season. Though mock drafts from ESPN, The Athletic and USA TODAY don’t project him to be selected, his NBA.com draft profile likens his game to first-round guards Eric Bledsoe and Marcus Smart.
“Lipsey has the competitive edge, the basketball IQ and the physical toughness to earn real minutes as a rookie and build toward a long career as a two-way guard,” NBA.com wrote.
USA TODAY reporters Bryan Kalbrosky and Jordan Mendoza contributed to this report
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: When is the 2026 NBA Draft? Former Iowa college players to watch
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
