2026 NBA DRAFT -- Every year, the NBA draft brings us suspense, thrill, and excitement. It hasn’t been a draft without some shock or someone being drafted in a slot we didn’t expect, defying the odds.
Looking at last year’s draft, you got the immediate impact from a lot of your lottery guys, which you could expect. But it’s the guys in the ladder half of the first round and the entirety of the second round that bring intrigue.
A few of those names? Will Riley, who, in my eyes, will continue to blossom in this league as a late first-round guy. Looking at the second round, Maxime Raynaud turned himself into a cornerstone for the Kings, starting in 56 games as a rookie.
The point is, no matter where your draft slot is, you have a chance to make a name for yourself in this league.
With that said, here’s a look at my annual sleepers for this upcoming NBA Draft.
Nick Martinelli
Combine Measurements: 6’6 1/2” - 223.6 LBS - 6’10 WS - 8’8 1/2” SR
The Player
The easy part of evaluating Nick Martinelli’s game over the last few years at Northwestern was his elite scoring prowess. A multi-time 20-point per game scorer, he established himself as one of the nation’s elite bucket-getters and true wings.
Yes, his game is very unorthodox and may not pass the eye test of some, but the proof is in the pudding: This guy can play.
Talk about the year-by-year progression: at one program, nonetheless, Martinelli went from garbage-time minutes his freshman year and just an 8.8-point-per-game scorer his sophomore year to winning back-to-back Big Ten scoring titles in his final two seasons.
Beyond the scoring, his impact in other areas became evident. The kid is tough as nails, was a very efficient player, excelled as a connective passer, and became a very strong rebounder on both ends of the floor.
Where I feel his effectiveness can be in the league is playing off the screens. He’s an elite screener, but also knows how to draw contact, which is beneficial when you’re a 80% free throw shooter.
His efficiency from behind the arc (41% on 3.5 attempts) and his ability to be creative in finding different ways to score are very important as well.
The Person
I think another notable area of his game is his ability to be a leader on the floor. Being able to be a ‘coach on the floor’ in some ways, and just show his high IQ and his feel for the game.
He’s a vocal leader, was a team captain obviously, but every captain leads differently, but Martinelli speaks up and wants everyone around him to elevate.
My Final Prediction
Martinelli carved out an outstanding college career. Played at one school, developed year by year, and has been outstanding in the process. He will have completed 15 NBA pre-draft workouts when all is said and done, and apparently has been impressing in the workouts he’s completed to this day.
I view Martinelli as a riser. He has the capability to thrive in the NBA, obviously, tinker a few things, but between the player and the person, I can see him having a very successful pro career after being selected in this year’s NBA Draft.
Felix Okpara
Combine Measurements: 6’11 1/2” - 234 LBS - 7’2 WS - 9’4” SR
The Player
One of the best bigs in this draft class, Felix Okpara, proved to be one of the most effective centers in the nation this past season at Tennessee. An All-SEC defender, Okpara was the anchor that helped lead the Volunteers to an Elite Eight appearance.
Okpara’s feel for being around the rim on both ends, and being a star in his role, has made him very valuable as a guy in this draft. He averaged nearly 1.5 blocks per game in his college career, but one part of his game I enjoyed seeing progress in was his footwork and mobility across multiple college schemes.
I first watched Okpara at Hamilton Heights during his high school career. He was very raw, but the size and upside were evident, and he blossomed throughout his collegiate career.
Okpara is a very disciplined, strong help defender who uses his length all over the defensive end while staying out of foul trouble and affecting a defense in many ways.
Offensively, he was super efficient around the rim. The majority of his attempts come from around the rim, and his conversion rate (60%) has always been high and effective. He has a terrific touch and excels coming off ball screens and thrives in slips.
I think where Okpara brings value at the next level, beyond his elite rim protection and paint presence, is his mobility. His ability to get up and down the court at his size, combined with the frame to keep up with the physicality of the NBA, makes Okpara a player with a combination of size and footwork that can keep up in the NBA.
The Person
Anyone around the Tennessee program will tell you that Okpara was a leader for this Volunteer team. You can see the energy, his desire to push those around him, and his unwavering work ethic, which is contagious in a locker room.
I think it’s massive that the anchor of your defense and the man protecting the middle is a leader for his squad. Okpara is a high-character guy who has drawn rave reviews from many across his college career.
He also lived up to his word. He told Stockrisers.com in 2020 that he prides himself defensively, and boy, did he live up to that.
My Final Prediction
Okpara is being viewed as a guy who will be selected in the latter half of the second round, but he continues to rise. He impressed at the combine and has also shown a lot in his workouts.
I think just having a guy of his frame who has advanced mobility and was obviously elite around the rim on both ends (Top-10 in dunks and blocks), but also a guy who pushes everyone around him, one organization is going to get extremely lucky.
