The 2026 NBA draft is drawing closer and closer. Most fans have their eyes on the top of the draft, wondering whether Darryn Peterson will match up to his potential or if the Washington Wizards will pick AJ Dybantsa with the first pick.
But GMs and analysts around the league will have their eye on the second round too.
The second round often produces consistent NBA talent, and even occasionally produces franchise-shifting players, like Nikola Jokic, famously taken with the 41st pick in the 2014 draft while a Taco Bell commercial played, and Jalen Brunson. Not many bettors would’ve wagered on them leading their franchises to the NBA Finals, but they beat the odds.
If you’re looking to place bets on the NBA, either on the draft or on the 2026 season, you can check out Playbook at https://www.actionnetwork.com/playbook to help seamlessly build your bets.
Here’s a look at three players projected to be taken in the second round of the 2026 NBA draft who could have excellent NBA careers.
Tarris Reed Jr.
Tarris Reed Jr. will be a serious steal for whoever drafts him in the second round.
The UConn center is already NBA-ready: a 7-foot-4 wingspan, 260 pounds, great rebounding and blocking stats, some great agility times at the combine, and great performances in the NCAA tournament.
He excels on both ends of the floor, with a great touch for a big man, strong passing vision and solid defensive contributions. His restrictive factor is his age, as he is one of the oldest players in the draft. However, his age brings experience, and he’s the perfect pickup for a team looking for a Day 1 contributor.
Meleek Thomas
The second part of Arkansas’ dynamic 2025-26 backcourt, Meleek Thomas, has also declared himself for the draft in the past week. He proved to be a lethal combination with Darius Acuff Jr., who is projected to be drafted in the top 10.
Thomas largely acted as a secondary creator and scorer, but had the ability to take on a bigger role with the Razorbacks. He was capable and reliable and produced some big moments in college. He needs to add a little muscle to his frame if he wants to compete long-term, but he has tangible skills and can transition immediately to a rotation role in the NBA.
Meleek Thomas remains eligible to return to Arkansas, and there’s a possibility that he does: Thomas is currently projected as a late first-round or early second-round pick, but if he isn’t selected, he can return to the Razorbacks, perhaps in an even more pronounced role, and return to the draft even stronger.
Ugonna Onyenso
One of the draft’s most fascinating prospects is Nigerian center Ugonna Onyenso.
The seven-footer got a big boost in his draft stock when he gave projected top three pick Cameron Boozer real problems in the ACC Tournament, setting the record for most blocks in an ACC game with nine in the process.
As a pure defender, Onyenso can match the best in the draft, like Caleb Wilson and Chris Cenac Jr. We’ve seen how coveted shot-blocking can be in the NBA with the likes of Victor Wembanyama, Brook Lopez, Evan Mobley and Zach Edey holding strong value on that front.
Onyenso is raw for the NBA, but a team willing to take a chance on him could have one of the steals of the draft.
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