All an NBA prospect needs is a chance, and second-round picks have often turned that opportunity into long NBA careers. The second round of the 2026 NBA draft will see 29 prospects hear their names called Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Among players drafted in the second round since 2000, 16 have appeared in at least one All-Star Game and 10 have made an All-NBA team, according to ESPN Research.
Jalen Brunson was taken No. 33 overall in 2018 by the Dallas Mavericks after a decorated run at Villanova, where he won two national championships and earned National Player of the Year honors. Brunson averaged 14.4 points and 3.7 assists across three seasons with the Wildcats. His role in Dallas grew, peaking in the 2022 playoffs when he averaged 21.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists before the Mavericks were eliminated in the Western Conference finals by the Golden State Warriors. Brunson signed a four-year deal with the New York Knicks following the 2021-22 season, led the franchise to its first championship in 53 years and averaged 32.6 points, 4.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds in the Finals, earning series MVP honors. He has made three straight All-Star teams as a member of the Knicks.
Nikola Jokić was selected No. 41 in 2014 by the Denver Nuggets in a moment that became NBA lore during a Taco Bell commercial. Jokić spent a year with Serbian club Mega Vizura before joining Denver in 2015-16 and became a starter midway through that season, averaging 10 points and seven rebounds and earning All-Rookie First Team honors. He has earned All-NBA honors each season since 2019, won back-to-back MVP awards in 2021 and 2022, and helped Denver capture its first championship in 2023 while earning Western Conference finals and Finals MVP honors. Jokić reclaimed the MVP in 2024, finished second in MVP voting in 2025 and 2026, and posted 27.7 points, a league-leading 12.9 rebounds and 10.7 assists in the 2025-26 campaign.
Draymond Green, taken No. 35 in 2012 by Golden State, averaged 10.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists in four years at Michigan State. Green played a key role in the Warriors’ championship teams in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022 with his defense and playmaking. He is a nine-time All-Defensive selection and was the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, and his NBA career averages are 8.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists.
Khris Middleton was selected No. 39 in 2012 by the Detroit Pistons after averaging 11.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in three seasons at Texas A&M. Middleton appeared in 27 games for Detroit, averaging 6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists, before being acquired by Milwaukee in a sign-and-trade for Brandon Jennings. After the move to Milwaukee he quickly became a double-digit scorer and helped lead the Bucks to an NBA title over the Phoenix Suns in 2021.
