Boozer, Wilson taken No. 3 and No. 4 overall in the 2026 NBA draft
Tobacco Road rivals Cameron Boozer of Duke and Caleb Wilson of North Carolina are part of the top overall tier of prospects in Tuesday's first round of the NBA draft. They both went in the top four as widely expected, making it the first time in nearly four decades that the Blue Devils and Tar Heels each had a top-five pick in the same draft.
For Boozer, the call came at No. 3 overall, when he was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies. Wilson followed right after, getting taken at No. 4 by the Chicaog Bulls.
The last time came in 1989, when Duke forward Danny Ferry went No. 2 overall followed by UNC forward J.R. Reid at No. 5. The closest the schools had come since that time was in 2019, with Duke having forwards Zion Williamson going No. 1 and RJ Barrett going No. 3, while UNC had guard Coby White go No. 7.
BYU freshman forward AJ Dybantsa went with the No. 1 overall pick to the Washington Wizards. Dybantsa led the country in scoring while being a first-team Associated Press all-American. The Utah Jazz followed by choosing Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson with the No. 2 pick.
Boozer became the fifth freshman named Associated Press men's national player of the year, while Wilson was a second-team AP All-American in an injury-shortened season.
Caleb Wilson isn't shy about selling his potential.
The 6-foot-9, 211-pound forward appeared on ESPN's predraft Red Carpet Special, hours before the start of a draft where Wilson is widely projected to be a top-four selection. When asked what the NBA team that drafts him Tuesday night would be getting, Wilson said: "A game changer."
Wilson is part of a top overall tier of prospects that includes BYU's AJ Dybantsa, Kansas' Darryn Peterson and Duke's Cameron Boozer.
A different view
Fans attending the NBA draft are getting to see a little more than usual from their seats at Barclays Center.
With the arena undergoing some renovations, the red carpet that was previously held in the arena's atrium was moved to the draft floor. A number of players were wearing sunglasses, even though it's raining outside in New York and dark in the arena.
Also, some of the player interview stops after they are picked were also moved from their previous behind-the-scenes locations. The "Good Morning America" set is on the floor, along with ones belonging to NBA TV and Chinese entertainment company Tencent.
Miami Heat land Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of draft
Ending a marathon watch for the next great Miami get, the Heat landed Giannis Antetokounmpo - a two-time NBA MVP and 10-time All-Star - from the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night in exchange for a massive haul of players and draft picks.
The terms, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the move had yet to receive the required league approval: Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis are heading to Miami for Wisconsin native Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis.
Milwaukee also gets the No. 13 selection that will be made in Tuesday night's NBA draft, along with a first-round pick swap in 2030, first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 and a second-rounder in 2033, the person said.
Lendeborg lobbies for a reunion with May in Dallas
Yaxel Lendeborg wrapped up his college career by winning a national title at Michigan under Dusty May. He made his pitch to keep playing for him before Tuesday night's draft.
The Dallas Mavericks announced they had hired May away from the Wolverines on Monday, and they have the No. 9 overall pick in the first round. That aligns with the rough range where Lendeborg - an Associated Press first-team all-American - could hear his name called as a potential lottery prospect.
So Lendeborg was ready with his pitch on ESPN's predraft special.
"I'm very happy for him," Lendeborg said while sharing a laugh with fellow Michigan lottery prospect Aday Mara. "I'll be way happier for him if he suddenly takes me at nine. So he should draft me. Draft me, please."
Picks 1-10
1. Washington Wizards
2. Utah Jazz
3. Memphis Grizzlies
4. Chicago Bulls
5. LA Clippers (via Pacers)
6. Brooklyn Nets
7. Sacramento Kings
8. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans)
9. Dallas Mavericks
10. Milwaukee Bucks
- The Associated Press contributed.
