Early look at the 2026 draft

[CFAN38]

I thought I already posted this on hear but my current favorite potential Cs 1st round pick. ( I have lost hope that Johnson jr falls outside top 20)


Meleek Thomas, he is a 19yr old combo guard currently playing for Arkansas. He is listed at 6'5 185lbs and the most recent measurements on him per NBADRAFT.net at the 2023 Nike Elite 100 6'3 170lbs with a 6'5" wingspan. This and watching him play leads to believe he is roughly the same size if not a little bigger than D White. Thomas is a knock down shooter 40% from 3 on 5.6attempts and 84%FT on 2.7 attempts who I think has more play making ability but is currently falling in nicely to a role playing off of Darius Acuff. He also stands out for how hard he competes on the defensive end and is currently avg 1.5 steals in 28mpg. Aside from the stats and the film on him I really like the fact that he is a blue chip prospect (#11 in the class per ESPN) who is playing for Calipari who obviously has a history of turning out great combo guards. I find it hard to believe he makes it to the Cs pick but a lot of mocks have him as late 1st to early second. 

[slamtheking]

I thought I already posted this on hear but my current favorite potential Cs 1st round pick. ( I have lost hope that Johnson jr falls outside top 20)


Meleek Thomas, he is a 19yr old combo guard currently playing for Arkansas. He is listed at 6'5 185lbs and the most recent measurements on him per NBADRAFT.net at the 2023 Nike Elite 100 6'3 170lbs with a 6'5" wingspan. This and watching him play leads to believe he is roughly the same size if not a little bigger than D White. Thomas is a knock down shooter 40% from 3 on 5.6attempts and 84%FT on 2.7 attempts who I think has more play making ability but is currently falling in nicely to a role playing off of Darius Acuff. He also stands out for how hard he competes on the defensive end and is currently avg 1.5 steals in 28mpg. Aside from the stats and the film on him I really like the fact that he is a blue chip prospect (#11 in the class per ESPN) who is playing for Calipari who obviously has a history of turning out great combo guards. I find it hard to believe he makes it to the Cs pick but a lot of mocks have him as late 1st to early second.

the obvious question I have for you is that if he's as promising as you describe, what's the knock on him that he'd last until late in the first round?

[Celtics4ever]

After seeing Denver drive at will, with Neemi out I think we need a rim protector type, to stop layup fests from developing.

[Roy H.]

After seeing Denver drive at will, with Neemi out I think we need a rim protector type, to stop layup fests from developing.

Tankathon suggests Aday Mara.

[CFAN38]

I thought I already posted this on hear but my current favorite potential Cs 1st round pick. ( I have lost hope that Johnson jr falls outside top 20)


Meleek Thomas, he is a 19yr old combo guard currently playing for Arkansas. He is listed at 6'5 185lbs and the most recent measurements on him per NBADRAFT.net at the 2023 Nike Elite 100 6'3 170lbs with a 6'5" wingspan. This and watching him play leads to believe he is roughly the same size if not a little bigger than D White. Thomas is a knock down shooter 40% from 3 on 5.6attempts and 84%FT on 2.7 attempts who I think has more play making ability but is currently falling in nicely to a role playing off of Darius Acuff. He also stands out for how hard he competes on the defensive end and is currently avg 1.5 steals in 28mpg. Aside from the stats and the film on him I really like the fact that he is a blue chip prospect (#11 in the class per ESPN) who is playing for Calipari who obviously has a history of turning out great combo guards. I find it hard to believe he makes it to the Cs pick but a lot of mocks have him as late 1st to early second.

the obvious question I have for you is that if he's as promising as you describe, what's the knock on him that he'd last until late in the first round?

I'm struggling to understand that myself and think part of it might be the hype the other freshman both on his team (Acuff) and around the NCAA in general. In general I wish he rebounded a little better, was more explosive at the rim, and had a few more blocks on his resume but with those things he is clearly a top 10 pick. The overall strength of the class is currently working against his mock draft standing, as much as I like Meleek I currently have him 25th on my big board, granted I will probably move him up into the high teens when I update it. 

[slamtheking]

I thought I already posted this on hear but my current favorite potential Cs 1st round pick. ( I have lost hope that Johnson jr falls outside top 20)


Meleek Thomas, he is a 19yr old combo guard currently playing for Arkansas. He is listed at 6'5 185lbs and the most recent measurements on him per NBADRAFT.net at the 2023 Nike Elite 100 6'3 170lbs with a 6'5" wingspan. This and watching him play leads to believe he is roughly the same size if not a little bigger than D White. Thomas is a knock down shooter 40% from 3 on 5.6attempts and 84%FT on 2.7 attempts who I think has more play making ability but is currently falling in nicely to a role playing off of Darius Acuff. He also stands out for how hard he competes on the defensive end and is currently avg 1.5 steals in 28mpg. Aside from the stats and the film on him I really like the fact that he is a blue chip prospect (#11 in the class per ESPN) who is playing for Calipari who obviously has a history of turning out great combo guards. I find it hard to believe he makes it to the Cs pick but a lot of mocks have him as late 1st to early second.

the obvious question I have for you is that if he's as promising as you describe, what's the knock on him that he'd last until late in the first round?

I'm struggling to understand that myself and think part of it might be the hype the other freshman both on his team (Acuff) and around the NCAA in general. In general I wish he rebounded a little better, was more explosive at the rim, and had a few more blocks on his resume but with those things he is clearly a top 10 pick. The overall strength of the class is currently working against his mock draft standing, as much as I like Meleek I currently have him 25th on my big board, granted I will probably move him up into the high teens when I update it.

thanks for the breakdown.  TP for your efforts keeping us up to date on who looks promising for the C's