NEW YORK (United States) - The 2026 edition of the NBA Draft saw 11 players from seven different European countries hear their names called over the event's two days.
There was plenty of European talent on display, and it was a big night for Spain, which produced its highest-drafted player since 2009 and saw three players selected overall.
It was also a coronation of sorts for Germany’s 2006 generation - as one of the most successful classes in FIBA youth competition saw three different players hear their names called on draft night. Estonia also made history by producing its first drafted player since 1996.
As the NBA now shifts fully into the offseason, we take a look at where each European prospect was selected on draft night and what can be expected of them on their new teams.
#12 Aday Mara (ESP) - Oklahoma City Thunder
Center
Birth Date: April 7, 2005 (21 years old) Height: 2.21m (7ft 3in) Team: Michigan Wolverines (USA - NCAA)
The Thunder couldn't repeat as champions, falling to the San Antonio Spurs in an epic seven-game Western Conference Finals. Still, Oklahoma City had a tremendous season, winning 64 games and continuing to prove that it will be a title contender for years to come. As if that wasn't enough, the Thunder selected one of the highest-ceiling players in this draft in Aday Mara.
Standing at 2.21m tall, Mara was one of the best rim protectors and rebounders in the NCAA last season, and the defensive fit is simple: he will help defend the paint against Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, and other elite centers in the Western Conference. With multiple high-level scorers already on the roster, his ability to make plays for teammates out of the post should also be a valuable weapon.
#14 Hannes Steinbach (GER) - Charlotte Hornets
Center
Birth Date: May 1, 2006 (20 years old) Height: 2.08m (6ft 10in) Team: Washington Huskies (USA - NCAA)
Despite reaching their best win total in over a decade, the Hornets were unable to make the playoffs for the tenth consecutive season. Possessing one of the league's most potent offenses and ranking in the top five in offensive rating, three-point attempts, and three-point percentage, Charlotte decided to add a paint anchor by selecting Hannes Steinbach.
In his lone season in college, the 20-year-old center led the entire NCAA in rebounds per game while also making an impact with his polished interior scoring and occasional flashes as a floor-spacer. Charlotte appears to have solid depth at the five with Steinbach, Moussa Diabate, and Ryan Kalkbrenner, but with his age and prolific rebounding ability, he could develop into the Hornets' long-term answer at center.
#18 Christian Anderson Jr. (GER) - Charlotte Hornets
Guard
Birth Date: April 2, 2006 (20 years old) Height: 1.85m (6ft 1in) Team: Texas Tech Red Raiders (USA - NCAA)
The Hornets reunite Anderson Jr. and Steinbach, who were teammates in multiple FIBA youth competitions with the German national team. They have enjoyed plenty of success together, including Germany's first-ever FIBA U18 EuroBasket title in 2024 and a run to the Final of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, where Anderson Jr. and Steinbach formed a deadly pick-and-roll duo.
While the big three of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel appears to be Charlotte's future when it comes to perimeter creation, it's easy to envision Anderson Jr. fitting well as a backup point guard, a position of need for the Hornets entering the draft. Anderson's shooting ability should also make it easy for him to play off the ball when needed, much like he did during his freshman season at Texas Tech.
#25 Sergio De Larrea (ESP) - Dallas Mavericks
Guard
Birth Date: December 04, 2005 (20 years old) Height: 1.98m (6ft 6in) Team: Valencia (ESP)
The Mavericks are in the early stages of a rebuild after trading franchise cornerstones Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis over the course of the past two seasons and drafting Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. One area of improvement for Dallas heading into the draft was three-point shooting, as the team ranked in the bottom five in both three-point attempts and three-point percentage.
Enter De Larrea, who has been one of the best shooters in Europe over the past two years, shooting 40.4 percent from three on 250 attempts from beyond the arc. His shooting should be an immediate asset for the Mavericks, as should his playmaking ability, particularly for a team that currently does not have a point guard under contract behind Kyrie Irving for next season.
Meanwhile, more European prospects were selected in the second round, with all of them having the potential to become impactful players for their franchises. Those players were:
#36 Baba Miller (ESP) - Los Angeles Clippers
#39 Jack Kayil (GER) - Houston Rockets
#45 Emanuel Sharp (ISR) - Sacramento Kings
#48 Tobi Lawal (GBR) - Dallas Mavericks
#52 Henri Veesaar (EST) - Atlanta Hawks
#56 Vsevolod Ishchenko (RUS) - Dallas Mavericks
#57 Narcisse Ngoy (FRA) - Los Angeles Clippers
FIBA