The upcoming NBA draft is shaping up to be a noteworthy event for the ACC, though it highlights a concerning trend for the conference. As it stands, five players from Duke University are projected to be selected in the early rounds of the draft, slated to start Wednesday night. Overall, the ACC expects to have just five players picked in the top 50, signaling a decline compared to previous years.
In ESPN’s latest mock draft, three Blue Devils are among the top eight picks: Cooper Flagg is forecasted to go first to Dallas, with Kon Knueppel following at fourth for the Hornets, and Khaman Maluach anticipated at eighth by Brooklyn. Additionally, North Carolina’s Drake Powell is predicted to be taken at 28th overall by the Boston Celtics, a surprising jump considering he was considered a second-round pick by many analysts. There are rumors suggesting that an agreement may have been made between Powell and an NBA team, potentially securing him a first-round selection and a guaranteed contract worth around $5 million over two years.
If these predictions hold true, Powell would be the first Tar Heel selected in the first round since Day’Ron Sharpe went 29th in 2021. Carolina has a storied history of producing first-round talent, with a total of 54 players drafted, including legends like James Worthy and Brad Daugherty, who were both No. 1 overall picks.
While the ACC struggles in comparison to its peers, the consistent talent emerging from Duke, combined with the hopes surrounding Powell, still give fans reason to remain optimistic about the future of ACC basketball and its players’ prospects in the NBA.
This year, the focus on the ACC’s performance in the draft will likely extend discussions about its current standing among other power conferences, but with promising recruits on the way for Duke, there could be a turnaround on the horizon.