'26 NBA Draft: Three prospects that are must-gets in the second-round

The second round is always stashed with hidden gems. Guys who can contribute in the NBA. This year, we witnessed the New York Knicks win a title, led by a guy who was selected in the second round in 2018.

People overlook the draft once the first round is completed. Although there’s plenty, I’m here to share three guys I feel will be second-round picks this evening that’ll contribute in the NBA.

Houston’s Milos Uzan

One of the most poised guards in the entire nation. Milos Uzan replaced Jamal Shead and transferred to Houston from Oklahoma two years ago.

Uzan is a really talented lead guard who has always stood out for his decision-making, leadership, and ability to be a floor general and to affect the game in a plethora of ways.

In a league where decision-making and pace of play are very important, Uzan is one of the most composed lead guards in the entire 2026 draft class, and his feel for the game and ability to lead an offense were on display over the last two seasons.

He averaged 11 points per game to go with four assists, three boards, and a steal per game. Uzan impacted the game in ways that don’t appear on a stat sheet, and his ability to be efficient, play on and off the ball, and expand his game on both ends of the floor make him a very attractive selection for an NBA franchise.

His pick-and-roll instincts, his feel for the game, and his IQ are assets that can help him excel at the next level. 

Houston assistant Kellen Sampson said this on Uzan:

“Milos will be a hell of a pro because he’s the ultimate connector. He can run your team and make sure everyone is involved, or he can slide off the ball and provide shooting for a dynamic scorer. He proved this year he can guard multiple positions both on and off the ball.”

I feel he will be off the board at any point. I don’t think anyone would be reaching to take him in the 30s or early 40s, but I feel he has a good shot at being selected.

Louisville’s Ryan Conwell

To end the first round, Alex Karaban was selected. It was once not the most popular thing in the world to select a guy with multiple years of collegiate experience, but it seems as if teams are trying to join the trend after seeing the successes of guys with lengthy college careers.

Ryan Conwell fits that mold. He had a successful four-year college career as a reliable shooting option. His size or tools don’t scream off the paper, but his scoring prowess and simply just being a bucket put him in contention to be selected early in the second round.

He’s a microwave-scorer (18.5 points per game), and his ability to create shots, but just find multiple ways to score, will put him in a good opportunity to find success on the next level.

After Conwell signed with Louisville, Pat Kelsey said, “Ryan is a pro in every sense of the world on and off the court.” You can see down the stretch this season how impactful he was on a Louisville squad that battled injuries.

St John’s Dillon Mitchell

A former five-star recruit, Mitchell carved out a very solid college career. One in which he found himself closing it out playing for Rick Pitino and St. John’s in Queens, NY.

Mitchell isn’t a knockdown shooter by any means, but man, he can affect the game in more ways than one. He’s got an athletic ability that you can’t teach, can defend multiple positions, and has the ability to create and make plays on the offensive end.

At 6-foot-6, with a 6-10 wingspan, Mitchell is a lob threat and is very aggressive around the rim. Obviously, being able to stretch offensively will be something to improve on at the next level, but his ability to score in transition and playmaking will benefit him from day one.

I think his defensive versatility is his best trait. He’s quick, can defend multiple positions, and can be a menace both on and off the ball. 

He’s worth taking a chance on. Going to an organization that will not only utilize his traits but also help him improve in the areas he needs to grow will be beneficial for his professional career. His upside is just too good to pass up on in the second round.

I’ve written tidbits on guys like Felix Okpara and Nick Martinelli, who should hear their names called this evening. Both of which have ranges of 30s to early-50s, but have been guys drawing rave reviews headed into night two of the draft.