Top under-the-radar 2026 NBA Draft prospects

The NBA barely has a chance to catch its breath following the New York Knicks' thrilling NBA Finals victory before the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft begins next Tuesday, Jun. 23. While everyone is familiar with top year's prospects, below, we examine the deep cuts in the class. Here are five players potentially under consideration for Round 2 on Wednesday, each with a trait that sets them apart. Special skill: Rebounding | Overshadowed on an 2025-26 Arizona roster that included likely lottery pick Brayden Burries, plus potential first-rounder Koa Peat and senior guard Jaden Bradley, Awaka, 22, still carved out a vital role in the Wildcats rotation as an elite rebounder. As the following graph from college basketball statistician Evan Miyakawa in December 2025 showed, he was head and shoulders above his peers. BEST REBOUNDERS BY HEIGHTThis graph shows the top rebounders in the country, showing the top five players by each height listing, according to the rebounding skill grades at https://t.co/cegyfz8ykZ.3 of the top 5 rebounders in the nation are 6'8" (Awaka, Towt, Keita) pic.twitter.com/s4AAY4XUEh Awaka, who led the nation in offensive rebound rate (20.9 percent) last season, per KenPom, would be a perfect end-of-rotation contributor, already showing a willingness to come off the bench by approaching Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd about a move to the second-unit. "Another leader we need to talk about is Tobe Awaka. ... BAMF. ... It was his idea to come to the staff this year and come off the bench. How many guys do that?"Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd shares how much the Wildcats' senior means to his team pic.twitter.com/lgLs4YuCEb Rebounding is nothing new for the four-year senior, who led all players in rebounds at the 2023 FIBA Men's U19 World Cup, averaging 10.6 per game for the U.S. Tobe Awaka with the putback End Q1 | 29 19#USABMU19 pic.twitter.com/HNL2GoE65r More recently, the 2025-26 Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year had an early highlight-reel dunk in the Sweet Sixteen of the men's NCAA Tournament off an offensive rebound, then had nine rebounds in 17 minutes during the national title game. TOBE AWAKA OMG #MarchMadness @ArizonaMBB pic.twitter.com/c9sTtdB9yX With only 17 career three-point attempts, Awaka will help himself earn a rotation spot by further developing his outside game, but his 41.2 shooting percent from deep and fluid shooting motion suggests the potential's there for that possibility. Tobe can do that too pic.twitter.com/wQb4CugmHc Even if he only ever excels on the court at the next level as a rebounder, Awaka would also bring value in the locker room as book club leader. Earlier this year, he discussed his love of reading and current interests such as philosophy, theology and the stock market, so you already know his choices would lead to deep conversations and wise financial decisions. Tobe Awaka the hooper Tobe Awaka the reader - a cool clip from the interview I was referencing! https://t.co/NsEijXPu3C pic.twitter.com/KohR1z7k4z Special skill: Shooting | As draft analyst Jonathan Givony noted, Bilodeau was among the best shooters at the 2026 combine, making 70.4 percent of his attempts across all shooting drills. The best shooters at the NBA Draft Combine:Alex Karaban (UConn) - 74.8%Bennett Stirtz (Iowa) - 74.6%Christian Anderson (Texas Tech) - 73.7%Kingston Flemings (Houston) - 72.9%Tyler Bilodeau (UCLA) - 70.4%*combined % across all shooting drills pic.twitter.com/v7OnkNxtAH It's hard to find another player in the class with as pure and smooth a shooting stroke as Bilodeau, who shot 43.8 percent from beyond the arc at UCLA the past two seasons. Early heat check for Tyler Bilodeau pic.twitter.com/aN0KI3bnDY He also has phenomenal range, draining this three from the first "S" on the March Madness mid-court logo. Tyler Bilodeau from WAY back #MarchMadness @UCLAMBB pic.twitter.com/4Xjiz6AZoE He also has a solid mid-range game, draining the following fadeaway jumper on the road at Ohio State. That is really tough stuff from Tyler Bilodeau ‍ @UCLAMBB pic.twitter.com/Tk7VDiSdbo Special skill: Spark plug | Measuring a hair under six feet (5'11.75") without shoes at the combine, Gillespie's size limitations make him undersized for a starting role, but his tape reveals a player whose game could translate as a spark off the bench. The three-time all-conference selection most recently played in the SEC at Tennessee, averaging 18.4 points, 5.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game in 2025-26, while also playing for Maryland (Big Ten) and Belmont (Missouri Valley). Gillespie doesn't play like a small guard, unafraid of attacking and drawing contact, as on the following play from the first round of March Madness. Ja'Kobi Gillespie is GOING OFF right now.He's got 13 of Tennessee's 26 points so far. @Vol_Hoops pic.twitter.com/OwMBtthoQ6 He averaged 21.8 points per game during the tournament while making multiple high-effort plays in an Elite Eight loss to Michigan, ending the game with six steals. JA'KOBI GILLESPIE FROM WAY DOWNTOWN.@Vol_Hoops pic.twitter.com/neWCeicnTX ANOTHER steal for Gillespie and the Vols cash in after the offensive rebound pic.twitter.com/XLkOCRwEJD JA'KOBI GILLESPIE DUNKS ON YAXEL pic.twitter.com/Mh3JVTEuDG Special skill: Rim protection | The Nigerian-born 6-foot-11 big began his collegiate career with the Kentucky Wildcats, who he averaged 2.8 blocks per game for in 2023-24. So easy to see why Kentucky is as excited as it is about Ugonna Onyenso. Moves so fluidly, good instincts in pick-and-roll defensive coverage. Superb work here containing the dribble, helping at the rim, recovering onto Dickinson, managing his post spin, and blocking the shot. pic.twitter.com/cUrYFnS6Tg This past season, he played at Virginia after transferring from the Kansas State Wildcats and led the ACC with 2.9 blocks per game. He helped seal a January out-of-conference win at Ohio State with a late-game block (2:36 mark in the below video) then had 21 blocks in three ACC tournament games, including eight against NC State followed by a nine-block performance two days later in the ACC tournament title game against Duke. Nashville belonged to the Hoos Virginia took down Ohio State 70-66 behind 22 made free throws and a 28-4 edge from the bench. Bruce Thornton had 28 for the Buckeyes, but UVA closed it out late after a clutch block by Ugonna Onyenso.@UVAMensHoops | @VirginiaSports | #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/OcGNdfMRBm Ugonna Onyenso racked up EIGHT blocks in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals vs. NC State @UVAMensHoops | @VirginiaSports | #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/49XrsivQlE Special skill: Scoring | If you need a bucket, Thornton's your guy. In March, the four-year senior set the Ohio State program record for scoring, ending his career with 2,164 points. BRUCE THORNTON BREAKS THE ALL-TIME @OhioStateHoops SCORING RECORD ‼️ pic.twitter.com/ni7nwWSQ09 Thornton can light up a scoreboard with his efficient stroke. He shot 52.9 percent over the past two seasons, including 41.2 percent from beyond the arc, while making multiple clutch baskets. During the 2024-25 season, he led Ohio State to a thrilling double-overtime comeback victory over West Virginia with a late shot inside the paint, followed by a winning three over No. 18 Maryland in a 73-70 upset win. BRUCE THORNTON GAME-WINNER FOR THE BUCKEYES IN 2OT Ohio State trailed by as many as 14 pic.twitter.com/jaDHnGd4Rp BRUCE THORNTON IS THAT GUY. BANK IS OPEN ‼️ pic.twitter.com/3eYXWANziC Whether shooting from beyond the arc or operating closer to the rim, Thornton offers instant offense. For where he will likely land in the draft, he could be a major steal. Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. 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