Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas has stored his identify within the 2026 NBA Draft following sturdy suggestions from groups, in accordance with NBA insider Evan Sidery. The choice finalizes one other key entry in a draft class already considered as one of many deepest in recent times.
Sidery reported that Thomas acquired a number of indications from franchises projecting him within the late first-round vary, largely as a consequence of his offensive upside and size. His capturing profile has grow to be a central speaking level after he posted 41.6% from three-point vary throughout his lone season at Arkansas.
Thomas accomplished the 2025–26 marketing campaign as a freshman within the SEC, showing in 37 video games with 21 begins. He averaged 15.6 factors, 3.8 rebounds, and a couple of.5 assists whereas taking part in 30.5 minutes per recreation in a high-usage function.
His effectivity stood out in a draft class the place perimeter capturing is very valued throughout projected lottery and first-round picks. Thomas shot 43.5% from the sector and maintained a powerful 84.3% mark on the free-throw line/
The 2026 NBA Draft order was finalized after the lottery on Might 10, with the Washington Wizards securing the No. 1 pick. Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, and Chicago Bulls comply with within the high 4, shaping a draft board led by names resembling AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson.
Thomas’ 5.3 three-point makes an attempt per recreation at Arkansas present a willingness to function as a spacing menace quite than a passive flooring spacer. That quantity, mixed with a 41.6% conversion fee, locations him among the many extra environment friendly catch-and-shoot prospects within the class.
Defensively, his 1.5 steals per recreation present extra worth for groups looking for perimeter disruption from wings. His 6-foot-5 body and size give him the bodily profile NBA groups sometimes goal in rotation-caliber guards.
The 2026 draft is scheduled for June 23–24 at Barclays Heart, with entrance workplaces now transitioning from postseason scouting to closing exercise evaluations.
