The NWSL has been one of the leaders in the women’s sports boom, but as great as the commercial gains have been, there are more challenges than ever facing the league in a rapidly evolving global market. How well positioned is the NWSL to handle the competition? And what are the biggest problems facing the league in the near future?

ESPN sought answers from general managers (or the equivalent highest-ranking soccer executives on each team) across the league in our second annual anonymous GM survey. These highest-ranking technical staff members from 15 of the 16 teams in the league (one had scheduling conflicts) participated in one-on-one surveys either over video calls or in person.

GMs were granted anonymity in order to speak freely about sensitive topics ranging from rule-breaking and their concerns with the salary cap, to grading league leadership and discussing the league’s relationship with the U.S. Soccer Federation. While there was widespread agreement on some topics, their reasons for optimism and worry are wide-ranging.

1. “The salary cap — $3.5m per club for the 2025 season — is now set through 2030. Do you worry the cap will hold the league back from competing with European teams as those teams can pay players without such limits?”

The NWSL imposes a hard salary cap on each of its teams, in stark contrast with top European leagues such as those in England, France and Spain. NWSL GMs are loud and clear here: The salary cap, even with built-in risers over the coming years, is a problem for the league.

This year, GMs were so emphatic about the cap issue that 10 of the 15 GMs interviewed named the salary cap as the rule they would change, and a combined 10 of 15 named talent retention and global competition — all relating back to the cap — as the biggest challenges the league is facing. Two even said it needs to be abolished entirely.

Competition from abroad, the GMs surveyed said, is currently only from a handful of teams, led by Chelsea and OL Lyonnes. One GM summarized that group as the perennial UEFA Champions League quarterfinalists. But the recent losses of USWNT stalwarts Naomi Girma and Alyssa Thompson to Chelsea furthered their concerns. “I’m worried that more dominoes will fall,” one general manager said.

The next domino might be falling sooner than expected, too, as Trinity Rodman‘s contract expires next month with the Washington Spirit, and interest from European clubs is at an all-time high. Rodman told ESPN’s Futbol W earlier this year that she “always thought about playing overseas at some point in my career,” and “it’s just a matter of when.” Yet negotiations with the Spirit have stalled because of cap restraints.

“Right now, top talent is going only one way,” another GM said. “We’re not seeing that the other way around. We’re not seeing players that are in top clubs in their prime coming this way. Yes, for now, it’s only a handful of players that have left, but if that becomes a trend, then that will be an issue.”

League leaders have long defended the salary cap as the reason for the league’s success, but one GM pushed back: “Why is parity the best? If you look at other American sports, sure, you see that. If you look at the global game of football, that is not what you see. If you want to be the best league in the world, anybody who knows soccer would say that’s the English Premier League in the men’s game — there’s no parity.”

One GM who expressed concern that the salary cap could hold the league back also worried that abolishing it would create “a bubble that could be dangerous for all of us.” This GM did note that the NWSL must compete better “against that handful of teams in Europe that right now could pretty much pick any player they want and offer an amount that it would be crazy for us to offer.”

Another GM said, “we risk the game imploding” if spending grows too quickly, noting that European teams’ “cost versus revenue is way out of balance.” Two GMs defended the salary cap and said the NWSL would become one of the European leagues that NWSL execs criticize — but “with not even an interest because there’s no relegation,” one said. That GM added that it would be “impossible” to reverse the decision if the salary cap were abolished. “The gap will widen far quicker in this country” between the “haves and have-nots,” the other GM said.

The natural question is: How does the NWSL solve this problem, when the salary cap is written into a binding CBA? One GM said the league needs to “find a solution to paying top talent with the least amount of damage to the rest of the ecosystem,” potentially a version of the designated player rule in Major League Soccer that allows teams to pay top players outside of the cap.

“I’m not in favor of abolishing it,” another GM said, adding that instead, there should be regular reevaluation of the cap every 18-24 months. “It shouldn’t be knee-jerk reactions — every time a player leaves we say we have to look at the cap.”

2. “Now that players must consent to trades, how much has it changed the way deals work and in what ways?”

For much of the league’s history NWSL teams could — and, in plenty of cases, did — trade players within the league without consent. The NWSL’s new CBA ratified last year changed that: It brought full free agency to the league and required all trades to be approved by the players involved.

“I actually think it’s better. It’s healthier for everybody,” one GM said. Several GMs also pointed out that it brings the NWSL in line with the global norm where players approve transfers. “I think any human should have a voice on where they’re going to play and live,” another GM said.

“It’s the way it should have been a long time ago,” added another. The flip side is, a different GM said, is that “We also get forced as GMs to move players who are under contract on our team. That, I think, is more prevalent now.” That same GM noted that if a player wants out, the club is frequently in a bind. “That has been a factor on multiple occasions in multiple deals,” they said.

Clubs are further hamstrung in those situations, a different GM said, because “We’ve lost a lot of trade capital. No draft picks available, allocation money phasing out — when you have fewer things to trade, all of that impacts the ability to make these deals.” The result is more traditional transfers for cash within the league.

Another GM said teams now must better educate players on why they won’t make a transfer. “We want to honor that as much as possible if a player doesn’t want to be in that environment anymore — for whatever reason. But there have been situations where it’s almost the players are confused about not just allowing them to leave when it doesn’t make sense from the club’s perspective.”

3. “In last year’s NWSL GM survey, almost every GM said that not every team follows the rules. The league said it would start cracking down on rule-breaking, fining Angel City $200,000 and docking the team points — the most severe punishment in league history — because the team violated the league’s salary cap rules. So, do you think teams are still breaking the rules?”

Four GMs said that teams are not breaking rules — up from just one saying it last year. The majority still said that the practice continues. As one GM put it: “Would I bet my annual salary that no one is breaking the rules? Not at all.”

One pointed out an issue we heard last year about how much confusion there is about what the rules actually prohibit: “I think rules are changing quickly, and I think not everybody knows what the rules are — and that goes for the clubs and the league.”

Another GM said rule-breaking can be relatively minor: “The league has a couple rules where you say, why does it matter? They still have a lot of those types of rules where they say you need to disclose that [small amount of money] and it goes on the salary cap. Those are the types of rules where we know factually people are breaking the rules and it doesn’t sound right, but I’m not going to turn a club in because they are buying dinner for people.”

Others, however, claim more egregious rule-breaking is happening. One GM added “there’s a lot of questions around how some teams are bringing in the players that they have or are bringing in.”

“I speak to agents trying to sign players. I can’t sign them because clubs are willing to break the rules and I’m not,” a different GM said.

Still some GMs noted better compliance, with one adding: “The league’s interventions have been helpful. Before, I was very convinced that people were actively cheating. I feel like that has decreased significantly or potentially kind of gone away for the most part. I can’t say 100%.”

4. “On a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 1 being very unhappy and 5 being extremely happy, how satisfied are you with NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman’s leadership? Why?”

Jessica Berman became NWSL commissioner in early 2022, taking over in the wake of the league’s abuse scandal. Under Berman’s leadership, valuations of NWSL clubs have gone up from $35m to over $250m, and the league signed a $240 million media rights deal (which includes ESPN). The league also ratified a new, long-term CBA last year ahead of schedule.

The league’s upward trajectory commercially is undeniable, and many of the sweeping reforms that followed the league’s abuse scandal were implemented during Berman’s tenure.

“I think that she’s navigated a very challenging time in the league’s history for a variety of reasons,” one GM said. “Emerging league, the behavior of some leaders in the league years ago. I think that as well as a CBA plus a modification of the CBA, all of that has positioned the league in a positive way.”

On the field, however, the NWSL faces increasing global competition and in the opinion of one general manager, is “really slow to react” to the rapidly changing landscape. That business vs. sporting dichotomy led to wide-ranging opinions in our survey.

“There is a tremendous amount of focus on the commercial side and less focus on the sporting side,” one GM said. “If we want the commercial piece to continue to excel, we need the best product on the field.”

Another GM said Berman’s “intention and motivation and ambition for the league is absolutely right,” but that they want to see more of “her openness and willingness to look at the league a little different from a sporting aspect.” A different GM wants to see more collaborative decision-making.

One general manager acknowledged the growth of the league’s front office but still wanted to see more employees hired around Berman, including on the sporting side. The NWSL’s front office lost multiple executives this year, including the departure of chief sporting director Tatjana Haenni and chief marketing and commercial officer Julie Haddon.

However, the reality of the commissioner’s job in any league is that the person reports to and works on behalf of the league’s owners. Berman was hired — and recently rehired, with a new contract — by those owners, who are ultimately the bosses of the GMs. And arguably the most important part of Berman’s job is aligning a historically divided boardroom rather than making unilateral decisions.

One GM complimented Berman’s “unique insight and ability to coalesce a group of owners to move the league forward.” Another said that Berman is simply the front-facing person for decisions made in the boardroom and this GM “tries to detach all things NWSL challenges from one person, although it’s easy to fire shots at the leader.”

A different GM complimented Berman’s tenure, comparing the job of commissioner to that of a goalkeeper: People only talk about them when something goes wrong. “Sometimes we should look 10 years backward and see how much has been done,” they said.

5. “Do you agree with Berman’s stated goal to expand the NWSL from 16 teams to 32 teams at some point, and if not, what’s the best number of teams to have?”

Berman said repeatedly throughout this year that the NWSL can, one day, be as big as the NFL, which has 32 teams. She recently softened that stance, saying that she wasn’t “intending to state we’re going to have 32 teams by some date.”

GMs are split on this issue. Most said that they could not provide an ideal number of teams due to the uncertainty around other factors like player development pipelines. The most common answer, listed by three GMs, was 20 teams.

“Thirty-two is such an American thing,” one GM said. “Find other ways to maximize revenue. It doesn’t need to be 32 just because all the men’s sports are. Other countries have shown that 20 teams with a 38-game season makes all the sense in the world.”

A prevailing concern is that rapid expansion without a higher salary cap will lead to mediocrity — “a lot of OK teams,” as one GM said. Others cited the addition of the USL Super League and Canada’s Northern Super League, and how it is getting more difficult to fill out rosters.

People on both sides of the debate brought up the need for geographically divided conferences to reduce travel. One general manager said travel in such a large country, from chartered flights to better hotels and meals, needs to improve to attract top players.

6. “Which city should the NWSL expand to next?”

GMs were surveyed long before Atlanta was announced as the NWSL’s 17th team, set to begin play in 2028, and it makes sense given that many of those polled have always been fond of the market’s potential.

“It’s a soccer city, and they’ve got everything facility-wise,” one GM said. Another said, “preferably someone that has a grass field,” while a colleague said, “the league needs to stress warm weather locations to be able to consider refining the competition calendar to align with the FIFA calendar.”

Cincinnati, which was one of three finalists for the 2026 expansion slot that ultimately went to Denver, was the next most common answer. One GM said that “they should move Louisville to Cincinnati.” A second GM also proposed relocating Louisville because of its commercial struggles as a small market.

One GM who voted for Cincinnati stressed the increasing importance of facilities. “This venue equation is huge,” they said. “Look at San Diego. They were at the top in so many of these metrics a couple years ago, but being the third or fourth tenant [Snapdragon Stadium also hosts MLS side San Diego FC, college football’s San Diego State Aztecs and other big events], I think that’s the root of some of their challenges.”

7. “In last year’s survey, many GMs felt that coaches and staff were too vulnerable to player accusations and lacked the protections to do their jobs. Do you feel the league has adequately addressed those concerns?”

Last year, there was a prevailing feeling among GMs that player power had “gone too far,” to the point that staff couldn’t properly do their jobs. This year, six general managers believe that those concerns were at least partly heard by the NWSL, although some “yes” answers were couched as “slightly.”

Two GMs specifically pushed back that teams need to take responsibility: “I think how that’s managed internally is the most important thing,” one said.

A different GM disagreed that the league office should be absolved of the issue: “No, I don’t think the league properly recognizes the issue at hand. I think the league feels that if we have higher level or better staff, that that will mitigate the issue. I don’t think it does.

“We’re at a point right now where somebody can anonymously report something and they could say whatever they want, make whatever accusation. … If it’s accurate, it needs to be investigated and it’s a safety mechanism. If it’s just unfounded and aimed at ill will, there’s nothing that happens to the player.”

The most common complaint centers around the NWSL’s semiannual player surveys, which have always existed in the league and ask players to anonymously score their satisfaction with all aspects of their clubs. Those results might impact staffing decisions within clubs when it comes to the feedback received from players about coaching and/or team personnel.

Several GMs said that the language of those surveys has been misleading in the past, but that improvements were made this year. One GM was particularly frustrated that similar language was initially used this year before further complaints led to change. Another said that the surveys are “sent at a time when if people are not being re-signed or playing a lot, it’s easy to point the finger. Timing, wording could be different.”

Overall, however, feelings around the topic were far more restrained this year. A different GM also made a point to say that they disagreed with last year’s prevailing frustrations from GMs, noting that players had endured horrible treatment in certain environments in the past, and “there’s a reason” that such measures are in place.

8. “Of the NWSL’s 14 active teams, which is the flagship team that is elevating the league most?”

The ambitions of NWSL teams vary greatly, creating a wide range of investment in infrastructure, staffing and players. The Kansas City Current built the league’s first primary-tenant stadium as part of a $1 billion new business district. “You step into their stadium and you feel like you are in KC,” one GM said.

Another GM added that Kansas City’s marketing and investment could be a blueprint for other markets: “They vomited teal everywhere and you just can’t get away from it.”

Gotham FC also received plaudits for its smart executives and “not allowing [money] to be a crutch” in the country’s most expensive market. Forthcoming expansion side Denver was name-dropped by one GM who was impressed with their plans to build a stadium and training facility. Angel City was named by one GM purely based on being “this commercial beast.”

9. “Which of the NWSL’s 14 active teams is holding the league back?”

Chicago Stars FC was the most common answer. “The ones at the bottom of the standings are there for a reason,” one GM said, adding that poor facilities “bleed into a lot of things,” including revenue. (Chicago is changing home venues in 2026.)

But one GM took aim at recent expansion sides Utah Royals and Bay FC, who they say wasted a clean slate and major advantages like extra cash when they joined in 2024: “When you see the amount of money they spent on transfer fees and players, and what I call an advantage from their start, a fresh start, I wouldn’t have bet that they would be in those positions in the standings.”

Racing Louisville FC‘s attendance struggles were brought up by the two GMs that chose them, with one saying “it’s just a tough, tough market” to attract top players. The team averaged just over 5,000 fans per game this season, second worst in the league.

10. “Do you think the NWSL’s plan to launch a second-division league is a good idea?”

The NWSL announced earlier this year that it plans to launch a second division to improve player development. Exactly what that league will look like, which teams will participate, or even when it will launch — Berman confirmed recently that 2026 is off the table — remains unclear.

Almost every GM that we polled was supportive of the concept of a second division, with caveats. One GM gave an emphatic “a thousand percent” yes to the need, because “the gap’s massive” now between college players and pro-ready players. However, “the devil’s always in the details of what it looks like,” a colleague said. Others pointed out that the league has failed to provide meaningful details, making it hard to judge.

“I question the order of priorities,” said one GM who still voted “yes.” Another GM is “concerned that things weren’t thought through,” and the NWSL needs to “focus on what our actual product is” first.

“Who pays for it is the big question,” said a different GM, who suggested that an outside equity group could be a solution.

Support of the idea largely centers around the need to develop players further down teams’ rosters. “If players don’t play on a Saturday or Sunday for a couple weeks, where are they getting that game time?” according to another GM who said “We need more meaningful competitions” like cup games.

Another GM was supportive of the idea of getting current players more minutes, but “dead against” a second division being created just to pull players out of college. As a colleague who agreed asked, “Who’s going to play in it? I couldn’t name five players who would want to play in it.”

11. “With the elimination of the college draft, is there still a long-term place for the college pipeline in the NWSL?”

Almost unanimously, those surveyed see the college game as a continued necessity for the development of professional players despite the elimination of the college draft system and the ongoing changes to NCAA athletics.

“A hundred percent,” one GM said. “It’s the unique thing about the United States and we shouldn’t ignore that. Some of the best coaches coach in the collegiate game; some of our best players have come from the collegiate game; some of our best overall people have come from the collegiate game. It’s just a big part of our culture here. To ignore it would be a catastrophe.”

Another GM said there needs to be “a cohesive plan” between the NCAA and NWSL. A colleague said the elimination of the draft has led to increased spending on scouting, while a different GM said teams initially paid “a ton of money to get kids out of college” without knowing how they would play as pros.

One GM, however, felt that the elimination of the college draft would have major consequences. “The draft gave college players the opportunity to become a professional athlete. Taking that away has just restricted that. I think teams now will just go and get players from elsewhere that are probably at the level instead of taking the time [to develop].”

12. “Now that the USL Super League has played a full season as a first-division league, do you view it as a partner, competitor or something else?”

Several GMs clarified that they want the new first-division USL Super League to be a partner or that “it should be a partner,” with many GMs citing the number of NWSL players who have been loaned to Super League teams.

“I wouldn’t use the word partner,” one GM said when pressed to label what sounded like that description. “It’s a great development league for us to loan players to.”

Their biggest issue with creating a partnership is that they have found that Super League teams are not always willing to cover the entire salary of a player the NWSL team wants to loan out, which leaves the NWSL team with a salary cap hit and doesn’t help them financially.

“Managing the budgets and some of the inabilities that they have, has hindered some of the movement we could have seen,” a different GM added.

Those who viewed it as a competitor cited that term more literally, since the Super League is also sanctioned as a first division. “They’re positioning themselves that way,” one GM said. “I don’t view it that way at all. I don’t think the coaches or the players feel that way.”

Another GM wants to see actual competition between the leagues: “We should have some kind of cup competition with them. Everyone’s on their own different page.”

13. “On a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 1 being very unhappy and 5 being extremely happy, how would you rate the job USWNT head coach Emma Hayes has done to collaborate with NWSL teams?”

The NWSL and U.S. Soccer have been tethered since the league’s launch in 2013. U.S. Soccer was the founding managing partner of the NWSL, and that remained the case until 2021, which makes Emma Hayes the first U.S. women’s national team coach to operate entirely in an era of an independent NWSL.

In the old relationship, U.S. Soccer paid USWNT players both for their international play and for the NWSL. The federation would pull players from their clubs even outside of FIFA international windows — including several weeks in advance of major tournaments. Those dynamics caused regular tension with NWSL teams, but the strategy paid off with the U.S. winning World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. However, “the script has flipped,” as one GM said, because NWSL teams are now paying the USWNT stars directly.

“Now, we’re making real investment in players where we as clubs feel protective over our players’ health, loading, all these things. If it’s not completely aligned, it’s a lot more stressful than in the past. … The landscape has changed to put more pressure on the relationship.”

Half the grades issued in our survey were 4 or higher, indicating general satisfaction with how Hayes and her USWNT staff worked with NWSL clubs. The USWNT’s staff travels to NWSL markets throughout the year to meet with players and their club’s leadership to communicate and align goals.

“They are doing a tremendous job by trying to meet with everyone,” one general manager said. “I try to connect with every national team, even where we don’t have players, and I can tell you that sometimes we have to be more proactive. With the USWNT, they are really taking responsibility; they are helping us. It’s a win-win situation.”

A different person said that Hayes has helped the NWSL by “encouraging people to know that your club play matters,” referencing the high volume of first-time call-ups.

“Four and trending upwards,” another GM said, noting that Hayes started right before an Olympics and won it while also trying to plan the program’s future. “I think when people judge things, they always look at what’s happening right this second. What they’re doing is strategic.”

Still, others felt there was room for improvement. Two general managers said the USWNT staff deserves high marks for intent, but they felt execution could be better, including more direct contact with Hayes.

A handful of GMs also expressed concerns about the trend of top USWNT players going to Europe, with one GM saying that “continuing to really advocate for our players’ development within our league is something I’d really love to see from our USWNT coach.” Hayes said recently that players make individual choices and that her role is to ask the right questions rather than steer a player in any direction.

ESPN previously reported that Hayes delivered that message to NWSL owners at a board meeting.

14. “Do you feel the NWSL has enough star power to break into the mainstream, and which player should the league build around as the face of the NWSL?”

Three GMs pointed out that the recent retirements of Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe have left a void in stardom in the NWSL. “They were really the needle-movers,” one person said. “I think there’s a massive gap right now. We’re in between eras. Historically, it’s been those national team players that get the most attention. We say you can be soccer-famous and famous-famous. I don’t know if we have any famous NWSLers right now. I think we have soccer-famous people.”

USWNT forward Alyssa Thompson just left the league. Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson have also been on maternity leave.

The one candidate to become a megastar, five GMs said, is Rodman. But Rodman is out of contract with the Spirit at the end of this year, and she has publicly talked about playing in Europe one day. She could well be the next to head overseas.

A common complaint among general managers is that the league and its clubs fail at storytelling. Three GMs pointed to how much better the WNBA has been at storytelling and building a media presence. “What the WNBA has done — I don’t watch basketball and names are flooding my world,” one said. “The growth of the WNBA has been exactly what we need, this coverage and storytelling of our elite athletes and elite personalities,” another person added.

Having a star as the face of the league was a premise rejected by several GMs. “This is about us, not I, and while I believe that marquee players are instrumental in growth, I think we also have to be mindful of the pressure that that puts on an athlete,” one GM said.

Two others also said that player-driven fandom is unsustainable. “I believe that clubs should be the face of the league, because players will always come and go,” one GM said, noting that player-driven fandom might provide a short boost but not “long-term, sustainable growth.”

15. “Are you worried about more USWNT players opting to play overseas?”

The NWSL was founded by U.S. Soccer in late 2012 to provide USWNT players with a strong domestic league. The gamble paid off with World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, though recent moves by Thompson and Girma to Chelsea reignited questions about USWNT players leaving the NWSL.

In contrast with the concern around the salary cap, there were a surprising number of GMs unfazed by the potential of more USWNT players leaving for Europe in the future.

“I’m not worried about it,” one person said. “If they want to, go for it. I think we spend a lot of time talking about it. If someone wants to play in Europe to try it, they’re gonna go play in Europe to try it. Good for them. I don’t think it’s great for our league, but I don’t think it’s something that we should spend so much time fighting against. If they can make more money, if there’s a huge transfer fee paid for them that drives our game forward, it is what it is.”

A different GM said they are not worried, pointing out that the migration of players to Europe is often cyclical and happens during this gap between the Olympics and World Cup. They cited examples like Lindsey Heaps, Morgan and Tobin Heath all going overseas at different points of previous eras.

But one GM is worried that “it’s not going to stop” — they felt the salary cap is part of the issue and that “we’re at a crossroads” with the push and pull of Europe.

A different GM is worried because “If we want to be the best league in the world, then those players should stay.” What many GMs want to see is top players from Europe joining the NWSL — and that isn’t happening frequently enough for them.

“We were talking to a top, top player from Europe who was willing to take a pay cut in this last window, and the pay cut would have had to have been so significant that she couldn’t justify it,” one GM said. “Players are even willing to take a little less salary [to play here], but we’re talking about taking a third off their salary.”

16. “How would you rank the following leagues from best to worst?”

The NWSL and England’s WSL each claim to be the best in the world, and every GM agreed that those two leagues are tiers above the rest. So, we asked them to order these eight leagues — which we chose as a small sampling of global competitions — from best to worst, and we let them interpret that as they saw fit.

A first-place vote was worth eight points, second place worth seven points, and so on. Three clear tiers emerged, with a 34-point gap between England’s WSL and Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga, and a 32-point gap between France’s Première Ligue and Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil.

The NWSL received 11 first-place votes, and the WSL received the other four. “We have a grass is greener situation” where players in one league want to try the other but might realize it isn’t any better, one GM said. Another added that the NWSL has better marketing, but England is “further ahead on the sporting side.”

Added another general manager, who also voted for the WSL: “We can’t just keep saying we’re the best. What are we doing to make sure we continue to be?”

Spain, France and Germany were also interchangeable for many GMs, with common and familiar complaints of top-heavy leagues. One person said France and Spain are “heading in the wrong direction,” while someone else said they’ve seen “no growth” from those leagues. “I see Lyonnes win 8-1 and they played their second team,” a third GM said. “They can’t be at the top. All these leagues have that.”

Multiple GMs praised Mexico for its investments in growth and visibility. “In terms of marketing, if I picked which league has done the best job in the last 10 years [outside the NWSL], it’s probably Mexico,” one GM said.

While Japan finished last in these rankings, several GMs said that they might have the best administration of any league, and they complimented the WE League’s player development. “That’s why their transfer fees are going to be so high,” one GM said, while another rated Japan fifth and said there is a lack of appreciation for the style of play there.

17. “Which player not in the NWSL would you most want to see play in the league?”

The desire for top Spanish players continued this year, although answers to this question were far more diverse than they were in 2024. Alexia Putellas, two-time Ballon d’Or and FIFA Best winner, was not named by anyone this year. Nor was OL Lyonnes forward Tabitha Chawinga. Both those players tied for first last year with four mentions apiece.

Now, “Everyone wants to see [Aitana] Bonmatí here,” one GM said. “She’s so smart, talented and creative,” another added. “She just makes every single person around her better. So, I’d like her on my team in the league, but I’d like her in the league.”

18. “If you were building a team from scratch and had first dibs on any NWSL player right now — imagine current contracts are torn up — who would you sign?”

It’s no surprise that reigning MVP and Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga (who might win both awards again) is top of mind.

“This is tough, because I want to say Chawinga, but I actually think that Chawinga changes the way her teams play, and I wouldn’t want my team to do that — but it’s so enticing,” said one GM, who thought out the hypothetical scenario aloud in real time. A few GMs reasoned not to take Chawinga because of that concern, but this GM came around in their own thought process. “I guess I could build the team around her, though? Yeah, I can’t not say Chawinga. I want to win the games.”

USWNT forward Sophia Wilson, who recently gave birth to her first child and is an impending free agent, tied Chawinga atop the list. “Soph has all of those things [of a Chawinga] and then she can take you off the dribble,” one general manager said.

Another would build their team younger, saying Ally Sentnor is “a player with a lot to grow but still a very good player, and will be for many years.”

And then there is the GM who also voted for Sam Coffey: “I think Sam Coffey should be in the top five in the Ballon d’Or. If Sam Coffey was Spanish, she would have been. For some reason — Spanish player or not — we all have our culture and we expect that from a player in that country. But she’s a player that probably can even offer more than what she’s offering, and she’s already offering a lot.”

A private capital plan that would have infused $2.4 billion into Big Ten athletic departments has been paused in the face of opposition from league members Michigan and USC.

UC Investments, which is tied to the pension fund of the University of California, announced Monday that it would wait for “unity” among conference schools before proceeding.

“We remain convinced that the unity of the 18 Big Ten university members is the key to the success [of the deal],” UC Investments said in a statement. “We also recognize that some member institutions need more time to assess the benefits of their participation. UC investments likewise requires some additional time to complete our due diligence as recent developments unfold and we continue to engage with the conference.”

The plan called for the league to spin off a new entity, Big Ten Enterprises, which would house all league-wide media rights and sponsorship deals. In exchange for the $2.4 million, UC Investments would receive a 10-percent stake in Big Ten Enterprises.

The deal would also extend the league’s grant of rights an additional 10 years until 2046.

The $2.4 billion would be distributed to league schools on a tier basis, with all the programs receiving a minimum payment in the $100 million range. Some larger programs would receive higher payouts.

Despite being in the middle of a seven-year, $7 billion media rights package that runs through 2030, numerous schools are in need of money due to soaring operational costs, debt on stadium construction and renovations and revenue sharing with athletes.

The Big Ten itself and as many as 16 schools supported the deal. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti personally lobbied schools to back the plan. UC Investments called the Big Ten’s process “rigorous and highly professional.”

Michigan and USC would not waver though, with the Boards of Regents/Trustees of each school saying the plan was fiscally unsound and the concept of selling a league asset at odds with their fiduciary responsibility.

The schools also stated that it would be a band-aid on a larger issue of runaway expenses, with Michigan Regent Mark J. Bernstein dubbing it a “pay day loan” at a meeting last month.

On Monday, Michigan Regent Jordan Acker told SiriusXM radio that the school remained opposed and found it nearly impossible to sign a Grant of Rights extension for 21 years.

“[That] is a pretty big thing to do when you don’t know what college football is going to look like four or five years from now,” Acker said.

In response to news reports last week that the league office and 16 schools might proceed with the deal even without Michigan and USC, Acker said the Wolverines would explore all options for the future, including leaving the league and going independent. Michigan was a founding member of the conference in 1896.

“Michigan has a lot of options,” Acker said. “The possibility of independence for football is certainly something that has to be considered. Not today, but at the end of the Grant of Rights [in 2036].

“I think it’s something you have to think about,” Acker continued. “Not because we want to leave the Big Ten Conference [but] because the commissioner’s office has made it enormously clear that they’re going [proceed] without us. That would be the end of Michigan, as far as I can see, in the Big Ten Conference.”

The loss of one of the Big Ten’s most prominent brands, biggest television draws and most successful programs in both football and men’s basketball, would have shook the league and college athletics.

Acker noted that the league has repeatedly expanded its ranks — now 18 schools stretching from Southern California to New Jersey — in search of additional revenue, only to continue to need more and more money.

Thus far, neither the Big Ten nor UC Investments has been able to convince the trustees that the new plan could solve that problem.

The money infusion was believed to be acutely needed for schools who are struggling to pay down debt on new construction and budgeting for direct revenue ($20.5 million this year and expected to rise annually) to athletes.

Illinois spent $20 million, or 11.8 percent of its expenditures in 2023-24, on debt service. Ohio State laid out $33.7 million, or 11.5 percent of its budget.

At most schools, the decision on the capital plan fell to university presidents and athletic directors. Neither USC nor Michigan currently has a president, but both have powerful Boards that oversee the operations of the schools.

Michigan’s 8-person BoR is publicly elected, which members say requires significant fiduciary responsibility and public accountability. That, they believe, differs from presidents and athletic directors, who are often on the job for just a short period of time.

UC Investments has not given up on the plan. In its statement it said it will continue to work with Petitti and the league to “allow all [Big Ten] members to evaluate the benefits of our potential investment in Big Ten Enterprises.”

We’re a few weeks into college basketball season, and excitement around the 2026 draft has continued to build, with a host of star freshmen headlining the class and taking quickly to the next level. Now is a good time to roll out our first mock draft of the season.

NBA executives have benefitted from a convenient November schedule that has included a number of meaningful prospect matchups, including the Champions Classic (Nov. 18) and next week’s Players Era championship in Las Vegas, which includes 18 teams and more prospect-laden matchups. This continues to be viewed as one of the stronger drafts in recent memory, with high-level players at the top of the board, as well as developing depth in the first round.

With the understanding that much of this will change all the way until June, the mock serves to project what things would look like if NBA teams drafted today. These projections are not a ranking of the top prospects — for that, consult ESPN’s Top 100. They are informed by ongoing conversations with NBA executives and scouts, as well as my own evaluation process from time spent on the road at games and watching film.

The draft order was formulated using ESPN’s BPI rankings as of Nov. 14.

More NBA draft coverage:
10 college teams with most NBA prospects
Top 100 rankings of the 2026 prospects | More

Round 1 picks

Darryn Peterson, PG/SG, Kansas
Freshman
2025-26 stats: 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists in two games

Peterson missed Kansas’s past couple of games because of a hamstring issue and was described by head coach Bill Self as out for the “immediate future,” which puts his status in doubt for a marquee matchup Tuesday against Cameron Boozer and Duke. While not officially ruled out as of Tuesday morning, that game stood as a major opportunity to show why he has been centered by NBA executives in the No. 1 pick discussion. Peterson’s dynamic three-level scoring, impressive physical tools, defensive tenacity and competitive intangibles place him among the most complete and impactful freshman guards in recent memory. It’s worth noting that NBA evaluators have been underwhelmed by the Jayhawks’ supporting cast thus far, and Kansas will seemingly go as far as Peterson can carry it. There’s room for debate around the No. 1 spot as the season unfolds, but Peterson would likely be the choice if the draft took place today. The prospect of an extended absence, however, would leave the door open for Dybantsa and Boozer to gain ground.

The Nets badly need a player to anchor their team moving forward; they’ve taken five first-round swings in the 2025 draft and are still figuring out how everyone fits long term. Peterson would address their lack of star power and then some.

AJ Dybantsa, SF, BYU
Freshman
2025-26 stats: 20.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists in four games

Dybantsa took center stage Saturday in Boston, with a large NBA contingent in attendance for BYU-UConn. He showed his tantalizing scoring upside in the second half, after struggling to impact the first, pointing to some of the concerns around his consistency and tendencies, but also serving as a reminder of his considerable talent. Overall, he has been efficient. He draws fouls frequently and has made an effort to play team basketball, but he is still learning to read the flow of the game and when to be aggressive. Dybantsa’s impressive physicality gives him top-notch upside as a wing scorer who should also add value defensively, but he will need to show improvement to maximize his chances of going No. 1.

The Wizards are among several teams with a lot riding on the 2026 lottery — they’ve gotten positive returns from 2024 draftees Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George but remain in search of a young star they can build their offense around. Dybantsa would bring a downhill element that the roster lacks.

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AJ Dybantsa throws down putback slam

AJ Dybantsa throws down putback slam

Cameron Boozer, PF/C, Duke
Freshman
2025-26 stats: 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists in four games

While a quiet debut against Texas underscored some of scouts’ concerns around Boozer’s athleticism, he’ll have a huge platform Tuesday against Kansas, with a majority of the NBA’s decision-makers expected to attend. He’s a polished all-around player who contributes to winning beyond purely scoring, which should help mitigate the fact that he’s not as vertically explosive. His outstanding track record will earn him some benefit of the doubt as he settles in to college, and his prolific production will keep him in the conversation with Peterson and Dybantsa atop the draft.

Utah is off to a better start than expected but still falls in the bottom three in ESPN’s BPI win projections and recently lost Walker Kessler for the season because of injury. If the Jazz’s pick falls outside the top eight, it would be conveyed to Oklahoma City, creating an additional incentive for the Jazz to stay bad for another season. Boozer would fit nicely as an offensive centerpiece alongside Ace Bailey.

Nate Ament, SF/PF, Tennessee
Freshman
2025-26 stats: 20 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists in four games

Ament has been productive against lower-level opponents to begin the season and will be under the microscope next week in Las Vegas, with all 30 NBA teams expected to send decision-makers to the prospect-laden Players Era Championship. Ament is still learning to leverage his 6-foot-10, 207-pound frame as a scorer, but it has been encouraging to see him attack downhill and draw fouls. Scouts will be eager to evaluate him against better competition, but his frame and skill set portend excellent upside as he gains experience.

The Pacers’ devastating run of bad injury luck spilled into the regular season — Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin and Aaron Nesmith have been among the notable players injured. Indiana’s decision to reacquire its own 2026 first-round pick back in the spring now looks particularly shrewd, giving the franchise a security blanket and a pathway into a talented draft lottery. After a 1-13 start, it might make sense for the Pacers to lean in to the losing, with eyes on bouncing back next season with a healthy Tyrese Haliburton.

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Nate Ament throws down big flush vs. North Florida Ospreys

Nate Ament throws down big flush vs. North Florida Ospreys

Caleb Wilson, PF/C, North Carolina
Freshman
2025-26 stats: 20 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3 assists in four games

Wilson looks to have made a tangible jump since arriving in college, impressing NBA teams with a newfound competitive gear that’s translating into big-time production. His energy and impact in the paint defensively and on the glass have made a huge difference, coupled with a strong feel and passing ability. The main challenge moving forward will be projecting his jump shot, as he hasn’t taken many 3s and has been inconsistent from the foul line (68.8%). It’s unlikely he can be an offensive focal point in the NBA without major growth in that area, but some scouts believe there’s an opportunity for Wilson to vault into the upper echelon of this class if he can sustain this level of play.

Atlanta appears set to benefit from its decision to trade out of the 2025 draft lottery to obtain this pick from New Orleans, as the 2-12 Pelicans continue to backslide and seem likely to convey significant odds. This selection will be a luxury for the Hawks, no matter what.

Mikel Brown Jr., PG, Louisville
Freshman
2025-26 stats: 19.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 6.8 assists in four games

A 29-point explosion in a rivalry game against Kentucky signaled Brown’s proper arrival on the college stage and underscored the excitement surrounding his NBA potential and trajectory. His ability to shoot from deep (36% from 3) off the dribble and catch, as well as make plays for teammates, gives him excellent upside, plus continuing to get downhill and to the foul line with more aggression will help his case. It’s a reasonable bet right now that he’ll be the first guard off the board after Darryn Peterson, and where Brown ultimately falls among the top picks might depend on where the point-guard-needy teams end up selecting.

This has been a challenging start to the season, to say the least, for the 3-11 Kings, who control their own pick and might need to consider pivoting from an aging core group on expensive contracts. The number of high-level talents in this lottery makes that a more palatable proposition, and the Kings’ need for a younger playmaker should make Brown a clear consideration.

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Mikel Brown Jr. sinks deep 3-pointer

Mikel Brown Jr. makes a deep 3-pointer for Louisville.

Chris Cenac Jr., PF/C, Houston
Freshman
2025-26 stats: 10.8 points, 9 rebounds, 0.5 assists in four games

Cenac has been steady to start the college season and appears to have bought in to his role at Houston, making a difference on the glass and flashing comfort with his jumper. With his minutes looking solid, there’s plenty of room for him to build on that, particularly on the offensive end, where he faces an adjustment playing on the inside against older and stronger college bigs. He’s still a ways from reaching his ceiling, but he has a good toolbox for a modern, mobile, rim-protecting stretch 5, an archetype that’s not prevalent in this class.

The Hornets have gotten strong early returns from their rookies, including Kon Knueppel and Ryan Kalkbrenner, but it remains to be seen whether they’re ready to make a true push for a play-in spot. Cenac’s length and mobility could be additive to their front court long term.

Koa Peat, PF/C, Arizona
Freshman
2025-26 stats: 16.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists in four games

Peat has left a strong impression with his early play and firmed up a place in the lottery discussion, with his physicality and interior impact proving important for Arizona. His lack of shooting range and the fact that he’s undersized (6-8) for a 4 are viewed as limiting factors, but it’s easy to appreciate his well-defined identity as a player. If Peat can develop a 3-point shot, it’s hard not to see him finding utility in the NBA, but that might ultimately be something he’ll have to show in workouts. Continuing to drive winning as a rebounder, play finisher and physical defender should keep him front of mind as a mid-to-late lottery candidate, although his skill set might be more team-specific than others.

The Mavericks’ dismissal of general manager Nico Harrison might signal a turning of the page, as Dallas reorients the franchise around Cooper Flagg. There’s a window for the 4-11 Mavs to pivot further into the lottery in search of another young star to pair with him.

Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky
Sophomore
2024-25 stats: 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists

Quaintance remains sidelined as he completes the final stages of rehab for a torn ACL. His production as a 17-year-old freshman at Arizona State last season made him a prospect of serious interest, and the hope is he’ll be back by January. Optimistically, he projects as a vertical spacer and lob threat who can also anchor a team defensively, but he’s not a good outside shooter nor super skilled for a 5-man, likely creating some limitations on how he might be used on offense. NBA teams are eager to see him retake the floor to get a better feel for his readiness and upside.

The Grizzlies are currently slated to pick twice in the lottery, holding their own first-round pick and likely Phoenix’s as well. As Memphis considers a longer time horizon after trading Desmond Bane, landing a couple of swings in a quality draft will be critical.

Dame Sarr, SG/SF, Duke
Freshman
2025-26 stats: 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists in four games

Scouts regard Sarr as Duke’s second-best prospect, with his 6-8 frame, defensive upside and developing offensive game as a perimeter connector giving him a path to becoming a valuable NBA player. He’s also starting to answer questions about his shooting, having made 7 of 14 from 3 to begin the season and looking comfortable catching and shooting. While he’s not heavily featured as a scorer, much of his value will come from filling in the gaps.

A slow start for the Clippers has positioned the defending champion Thunder to potentially select in the lottery, giving them another opportunity to add top talent to an already loaded roster. This is the first of three first-round selections they hold.

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Dame Sarr gets the steal and slam for Duke

Dame Sarr comes up with a steal and rocks the rim with a jam for Duke vs. Indiana State.

11. Memphis Grizzlies (via Phoenix)

Karim Lopez, SF/PF, New Zealand Breakers (New Zealand)

Lopez has been productive in his second season in Australia, making 40% of his 3s, showing progress offensively and chipping in as a rebounder. There are some holes in his profile: He hasn’t gotten to the free throw line much, and scouts have expressed concern about his athleticism and defense. Lopez may ultimately project best as a stretch-four rather than a wing. His ability to handle, be a playmaker and knock down open shots at 6-8 will keep him in conversations in this part of the draft.

The Grizzlies will have the better of Phoenix’s and Orlando’s first-round picks, with the Magic ahead of the Suns based on ESPN’s BPI projections.

Neoklis Avdalas, SG/SF, Virginia Tech
Freshman
2025-26 stats: 16.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6 assists in four games

Avdalas’ 33-point breakout on the road against Providence put the NBA on notice, as he deftly navigated ball screens, knocked down five 3s and showcased his upside as a 6-8 playmaking wing. While he’s not especially fast or adept at beating defenders one-on-one — a factor that creates some skepticism in his projection — NBA teams are always in search of big playmakers, and Avdalas has begun to demonstrate that in an outsized role. Continuing to make shots from long range and establish his value without the ball will be key. He fits the blueprint from a size and skill perspective, and will have a chance to go high in the draft if he can assuage those concerns.

Portland sits in the middle of the pack in the West and will convey its selection to Chicago if the Blazers make the playoffs and the pick falls between 15 and 30.

Braylon Mullins, SG, UConn
Freshman

Mullins remains out with an ankle injury but is on track to return in the coming weeks, and NBA teams will be eager to assess him in a college setting. His excellent 3-point shooting, both off movement and off the bounce, gives him a calling-card skill, plus he’s a tough competitor with positional size who can chip in defensively. UConn has historically done well featuring its shooters under Dan Hurley and will need him to make an impact, positioning him for a potential one-and-done season if things go smoothly.

The Bulls own their pick in 2026 and returned to the middle of the pack after a hot start to the season — the healthy return of Coby White and Josh Giddey will offer a better sense of which direction Chicago is headed with respect to the draft.

Darius Acuff Jr., PG, Arkansas
Freshman
2025-26 stats: 19.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists in four games

Acuff is off to a solid start at Arkansas, putting up efficient numbers and shooting it well from long range through four games. His burst and knack for making plays have been on display, and his strength and pace help compensate for his smaller size. Guard-needy teams will be looking closely at him in the coming weeks, with a Thanksgiving matchup against Duke and a head-to-head game against Mikel Brown Jr. and Louisville offering real tests.

The Bucks control their own pick and have a glaring need for long-term backcourt help at the moment — while it’s early, their pick could be an interesting landing spot for any of the guards in this range.

Thomas Haugh, SF/PF, Florida
Junior
2025-26 stats: 19 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3 assists in four games

Many around the NBA anticipated Haugh would break out this season — he has wasted no time establishing himself as one of the best players in college basketball. Although he’ll turn 23 before his rookie season in the NBA, Haugh looks like an obvious plug-and-play option who will help any team with his ball movement, defensive effort and versatility. Teams with playoff aspirations will be looking hard at him starting in this part of the draft.

Amid some speculation that they could take a nosedive in the standings, the Celtics have been frisky in the absence of Jayson Tatum. Adding an NBA-ready player with this pick should be one approach they consider.

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Thomas Haugh drains trey vs. Miami Hurricanes

Thomas Haugh buries 3-pointer against Miami Hurricanes

Labaron Philon Jr., PG, Alabama
Sophomore
2025-26 stats: 19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6 assists in three games

Philon has opened the season in good form, notably scoring 25 points in Alabama’s road win over St. John’s and flashing improved ability as a shotmaker. He’s stepping into a focal playmaking role this season and has a nice opportunity to separate himself from the other point guards in this part of the draft. Showing he can shoulder the load efficiently as Alabama navigates a tough nonconference schedule will help.

The Raptors control their own pick, but are working to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022, likely slating them to select somewhere in this range.

17. Charlotte Hornets (via Orlando)

Tounde Yessoufou, SG/SF, Baylor
Freshman
2025-26 stats: 16.3 points, 5 rebounds, 1.7 assists in three games

With a powerful 6-5, 210-pound frame and high-performing motor, Yessoufou has interesting upside, as well as some developmental risk as scouts work to project his offense. He can power downhill and to the foul line, but has struggled shooting from 3 (3-for-15 to start the season) and faces questions about his playmaking and feel for moving the ball. If his shooting improves, Yessoufou could be a high-value play-finisher and disruptive defender at the very least. How his efficiency bears out over the course of the season will be the biggest factor in how high he’s selected.

Charlotte will receive the least favorable of Washington’s (if 1-8), Phoenix’s, Orlando’s and Memphis’ picks, which in this case is the Magic’s.

Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, Michigan
Senior
2025-26 stats: 11.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3 assists in three games

Lendeborg’s age (23) puts a damper on his perceived upside, but his all-around game and physical tools should be good enough to land him in the first round, where teams looking for plug-and-play frontcourt help will consider him. He remains a streaky outside shooter, but his ability to handle and pass gives him extra perimeter functionality for a bigger forward at 6-9, 240.

Michigan has been dealing with the tricky task of playing three bigs together for stretches, hoping Lendeborg’s ability to blend lineups will enable them to get their best players on the floor together. He’s not always aggressive as a scorer, but he should have utility in a complementary NBA context and be appealing to teams like Golden State that are in win-now mode.

Kingston Flemings, PG, Houston
Freshman
2025-26 stats: 17.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists in four games

Although he entered college with less fanfare than some of his classmates, Flemings has been one of the best freshmen out of the gate, playing a key role for No. 1-ranked Houston and showcasing NBA-caliber speed, vision and explosiveness. He aced his first major test, spurring the Cougars to a win against a tough Auburn defense on Sunday with 22 points. He has been exceptionally efficient in this small sample, making 79% of two-point attempts through four games, and puts a lot of pressure on defenses with his pace downhill despite being slender. He should continue to emerge as the season goes on while sharing a backcourt with Milos Uzan.

Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa
Senior
2025-26 stats: 21.3 points, 3 rebounds, 5.3 assists in three games

It’s no surprise that Stirtz is off to a good start as Iowa navigates a soft early schedule, as an expert ball-screen navigator and older prospect who remains one of the top players in college basketball. He has proved himself as a guard who can dictate game flow and make good decisions while shouldering major usage. He’ll be more closely scrutinized against better competition, as scouts work to project him physically and defensively in the long term. As a 22-year-old senior, teams will scrutinize his developmental upside relative to the other guards in this class, but there will be some plug-and-play appeal for teams needing more immediate help.

Hannes Steinbach, PF/C, Washington
Freshman
2025-26 stats: 14.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists in four games

Among the most productive bigs in college basketball early on, Steinbach has been excellent on the glass and a stabilizing force for Washington. He certainly looks the part as a long-term NBA player, with a good understanding of his role up front, above-average mobility for his size, and capability as a passer playing out of short rolls. He is starting to separate himself from many of the other bigs projected outside the lottery and has room to rise based on his sheer production.

The Spurs hold the right to swap their own first with Atlanta’s in this draft, but in this scenario, they hold onto their own.

Isaiah Evans, SG, Duke
Sophomore
2025-26 stats: 13 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists in four games

Evans has been streaky to start the season, but he looks the part as a high-level perimeter shooter who should be poised for a sophomore leap. Duke will need him to score a lot, and his ability to knock down shots off movement and space the floor makes him a strong fit with Cameron Boozer, in theory. NBA teams still have questions about his defensive impact, shot selection and ability to get downhill, but there’s a realistic chance Evans’ shooting helps him carve out a role.

23. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Philadelphia)

Dash Daniels, PG/SG, Melbourne United (Australia)

Daniels continues to play a useful supporting role for 11-2 Melbourne United, primarily offering sturdy defensive minutes. The fact that he has carved out minutes at 17 years old is impressive, but he’s also not getting to stretch himself offensively in a way that would significantly bolster his standing yet. As the youngest prospect on our Top 100, Daniels won’t necessarily have to stay in the 2026 draft — he could ultimately benefit from delaying and entering in a thinner 2027 class, depending on the feedback he gets. The Thunder will receive this pick from Philadelphia, unless it lands in the top four.

Aday Mara, C, Michigan
Sophomore
2025-26 stats: 12 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3 assists in three games

Mara landed in a more optimal situation after transferring from UCLA to Michigan and has looked the part as a future NBA player, with his sheer size and terrific passing vision making him a unique offensive threat. While he’s not fast or vertically explosive, he’s sufficiently mobile to play in drop coverage and should at least add some defensive value as a deterrent around the basket. He’s likely to see all types of coverages and double-teams moving forward, but Mara brings a lot more to the table than your typical 7-footer and has reminded teams what made him interesting earlier in his career.

The Cavs hold the ability to swap their first with the worse of San Antonio’s and Atlanta’s firsts.

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Michigan Wolverines vs. TCU Horned Frogs: Game Highlights

Michigan Wolverines vs. TCU Horned Frogs: Game Highlights

Zuby Ejiofor, PF/C, St. John’s
Senior
2025-26 stats: 18.3 points, 7 rebounds, 3.3 assists in three games

Ejiofor has impressed with his all-out effort and flashes of improving skill, with his passing ability making him more dynamic than most undersized (6-9) energy bigs in this mold. He also hit a pair of 3s in a breakout game against Alabama, and continuing to display some touch from range would be helpful in solidifying a first-round case. He appears in for an All-America type of campaign, and if things go that direction, playoff teams searching for immediate frontcourt help may consider him at the end of the first round.

Miles Byrd, SG/SF, San Diego State
Junior
2025-26 stats: 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists in two games

Byrd is one of the more apt perimeter defenders in the class and should have role-player appeal to winning teams in search of depth. San Diego State has played only two games thus far, but it will draw strong competition next week in Las Vegas and give Byrd a useful proving ground. Scouts hope to see him make strides offensively, particularly as a shooter, and he should have opportunities to grow as a playmaker, as well.

27. Atlanta Hawks (via Cleveland)

Meleek Thomas, PG/SG, Arkansas
Freshman
2025-26 stats: 17.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists in four games

Thomas has displayed some growth as a decision-maker and passer, but also struggled with efficiency as he adjusts to college basketball. His toughness, positional size, productivity and scoring instincts give him interesting upside as he continues to try to prove he’s more than purely a scorer. Arkansas is relying heavily on him to generate offense, but he’ll need to be more consistent and sharpen his shot selection to strengthen his one-and-done case.

The Hawks will receive the worse of their own first/San Antonio’s first and the Cavaliers’ first.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Houston)

Alex Condon, C, Florida
Junior
2025-26 stats: 16.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists in four games

While Condon can be divisive for scouts due to concerns about his offensive output, mobility, passing flashes and defensive mentality give him tools to work with as a potential glue guy at the NBA level. After playing a major role in Florida’s 2025 title run, he’ll draw longer looks this time around. He picked up basketball late and there’s some untapped upside here if he can add a reliable jumper and polish his skills further. Condon has been much more productive out of the gate as a scorer, pointing the arrow in the right direction at the moment.

The Thunder will have the two most favorable of their own, Houston’s (if 5-30) and the Clippers’ firsts.

Joseph Tugler, PF/C, Houston
Junior
2025-26 stats: 8.5 points, 5 rebounds, 1.5 assists in four games

Tugler is a defensive ace with elite length who cleans up mistakes and wins extra possessions on the interior in a way that should translate into some level of NBA utility. He’s also a limited offensive player, which makes his fit more team-specific and makes him a bit divisive for scouts. He’ll make the most sense as a plug-and-play specialist on a playoff team with a specific vision for how to use him. The idea of him in Denver as a defender off the bench is entertaining to think about.

30. Washington Wizards (via Oklahoma City)

Dwayne Aristode, SF, Arizona
Freshman
2025-26 stats: 6.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1 assist in four games

Aristode had NBA teams heavily intrigued with his impressive frame (6-8, 220) and 3-and-D potential entering the season. It’s hard to get carried away considering the context, as his playing time has been up and down, logging less than 10 minutes in Arizona’s biggest games against Florida and UCLA, but he showed off his shooting with six 3s against Northern Arizona. After missing his senior year of high school with a foot injury, Aristode is clearly still getting up to speed, but will need to get a better foothold from a minutes perspective to make a one-and-done case. If he can carve out a role like Carter Bryant did last season, there’s a pathway into the draft as a developmental player.

The Wizards hold the least favorable of the Clippers’, Rockets’ and Thunder’s firsts.

Round 2 picks

31. Brooklyn Nets: Sergio de Larrea, PG/SG, Valencia (Spain)
32. New York Knicks (via Washington): Patrick Ngongba, C, Duke, Sophomore
33. San Antonio Spurs (via Utah): Nikolas Khamenia, SF/PF, Duke, Freshman
34. Memphis Grizzlies (via Indiana): Cameron Carr, SG/SF, Baylor, Sophomore
35. Boston Celtics (via New Orleans): Braden Smith, PG, Purdue, Senior
36. Sacramento Kings: JT Toppin, PF/C, Texas Tech, Senior
37. Sacramento Kings (via Charlotte): Karter Knox, SG/SF, Arkansas, Sophomore
38. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Dallas): Alex Karaban, SF/PF, UConn, Senior
39. LA Clippers (via Memphis): Tahaad Pettiford, PG, Auburn, Sophomore
40. Brooklyn Nets (via LA Clippers): Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina, Junior
41. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix): Magoon Gwath, C, San Diego State, Sophomore
42. San Antonio Spurs (via Portland): Paul McNeil Jr., SG, NC State, Sophomore
43. Houston Rockets (via Chicago): Tomislav Ivisic, C, Illinois, Junior
44. Boston Celtics (via Milwaukee): Darrion Williams, SF, NC State, Senior
45. Atlanta Hawks (via Boston): Brayden Burries, SG, Arizona, Freshman
46. Toronto Raptors: Wesley Yates III, SG, Washington, Sophomore
47. Orlando Magic: Motiejus Krivas, C, Arizona, Junior
48. Charlotte Hornets (via Golden State): Milos Uzan, PG, Houston, Senior
49. San Antonio Spurs (via Miami): Andrej Stojakovic, SG/SF, Illinois, Junior
50. Washington Wizards (via Minnesota): Mouhamed Sylla, C, Georgia Tech, Freshman
51. Minnesota Timberwolves (via San Antonio): Adam Atamna, SG, ASVEL (France)
52. New York Knicks (via Detroit): Dailyn Swain, SG/SF, Texas, Junior
53. Phoenix Suns (via Philadelphia): Morez Johnson Jr., PF/C, Michigan, Sophomore
54. Brooklyn Nets (via Atlanta): Moustapha Thiam, C, Cincinnati, Sophomore
55. Toronto Raptors (via Los Angeles): Michael Ruzic, PF/C, Joventut (Spain)
56. New York Knicks: Boogie Fland, PG, Florida, Sophomore
57. Cleveland Cavaliers: Richie Saunders, SG/SF, BYU, Senior
58. Houston Rockets: Nolan Winter, PF/C, Wisconsin, Junior
59. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Denver): Solo Ball, SG, UConn, Junior
60. Washington Wizards (via Oklahoma City): Tucker DeVries, SG/SF, Indiana, Senior