Rick Barnes has always had a great track record of player development, which he's been doing for nearly 30 years as a head coach. Throughout his career, he's made putting players in the NBA a point of emphasis. His track record includes players like Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge, Myles Turner, Avery Bradley, Dalton Knecht, and many others. This has helped him recruit some of the best players in the nation, like how the Vols added one of the best portal classes in the country this past offseason.
Tennessee basketball’s national title odds suggest a real shot at glory
Given this, tonight is the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, and Barnes has a chance to add to his long list of players. Nate Ament, Ja'Kobi Gillespie, and Felix Okapra are all expected to be drafted in the coming days, with the second round taking place on Wednesday evening.
ESPN released their final NBA mock draft, and they have three Vols being selected, with Nate Ament being a lottery pick selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the No. 9 overall pick. In the second round, Jeremy Woo has Gillespie going No. 41 overall to Miami, and the Spurs with the next pick, No. 42, selecting Vol Felix Okpara.
ESPN has 3 Vols selected in their final NBA mock draft
It's no surprise that Ament is floating into the top ten. We always knew he could be a player who rose, and he eventually has. While he isn't in that top tier of players, he has firmly cemented himself as a lottery pick and will likely hear his name called in the top 14. The Mavericks just hired Michigan head coach Dusty May, so I wouldn't be shocked if they take Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, or another Wolverine. However, if Ament does get to go to Dallas, playing alongside Cooper Flagg should be very entertaining and would give them an amazing core of long wings with high potential.
Gillespie to Miami makes a ton of sense after they just traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo last night. The Heat sold the entire farm to get Giannis in town, and while they do have a loaded frontcourt with Bam Adebayo and Giannis, the backcourt remains bleak. Taking a chance on a veteran guard who can come in and help right away seems like a smart option for Pat Riley and Co.
The fit between Okpara and the Spurs is very good, in my opinion. The Spurs don't need a superstar center, as they already have one. Instead, they're getting a reliable rim runner who will play excellent defense, set screens, rebound, and do the little things that don't show up on a box score. Okpara would be the perfect fit to come and play 15 minutes while Wembanyama gets a breather.
Overall, it should be another very successful draft night for Tennessee, as they will look to continue the five-year streak of having a player selected. The next chapter starts now for the former Vols, and the pipeline remains as strong as ever.
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