Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson Headlines New Wave of 2026 NBA Draft Entrants
christian-anderson-leads-latest-2026-draft-entrants
Texas Tech sophomore point guard Christian Anderson has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft, agent Aaron Mintz told DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony. Anderson, who turned 20 on April 9, started all 33 games for the Red Raiders, averaging 38.4 minutes along with 18.5 points, 7.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. He shot 47.2% from the field, 41.5% from three-point range, and 80.5% at the foul line, earning All-Big 12 First Team honors and the conference’s Most Improved Player award. ESPN currently lists him No. 19 on its 2026 draft board.
Alabama guard Labaron Philon, another breakout sophomore, also entered the draft pool via Instagram. Ranked No. 21 by ESPN, Philon boosted his scoring from 10.6 points as a freshman to 22.0 points in 2025-26 while adding 5.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. He connected on 50.1% of his shots overall and 39.9% from deep, improving his stock after testing the waters last year and withdrawing.
Texas junior wing Dailyn Swain is turning pro as well, his representatives at WME Basketball confirmed to Givony. The Xavier transfer averaged 17.3 points on 54.2% shooting, 7.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals, securing a spot on the All-SEC Second Team. ESPN slots the 6-8 swingman at No. 29, projecting him as a potential first-rounder.
Wisconsin’s John Blackwell will test the draft waters after an All-Big Ten Third Team junior season, he told ESPN. Listed No. 65 by the network, Blackwell has also entered the transfer portal, leaving open the possibility of returning to college at a new school if he withdraws.
Malachi Moreno, Kentucky’s freshman center, filed draft paperwork while maintaining NCAA eligibility, agent George S. Langberg informed DraftExpress. Moreno started 30 games, averaging 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 22.6 minutes. Should he postpone his professional career, he intends to return to the Wildcats.
Source: Hoops Rumors
