Even though the 2026 NBA Draft is well in the rear view, it is never too early to start looking ahead to next year. This past draft was historic for the Big 12, as 13 players heard their names called in the two rounds.
It was by far the most in conference history and the most since 2010. Plus, it also marked the first time that the Big 12 took up the first two picks of the draft thanks to AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. To put it simply, the conference we all love dominated the 2026 NBA Draft.
But the question now is, can they do it again in 2027? Well, according to The Athletic‘s Sam Vecenie, the answer is yes. Just a few days ago, Sam posted a way-too-early mock draft, projecting seven Big 12 players to go in the first round.
No. 1 | Tyran Stokes, Kansas, G
No. 4 | Caleb Holt, Arizona, G
No. 9 | Motiejus Krivas, Arizona, C
No. 14 | Ivan Kharchenkov, Arizona G
No. 16 | Bruce Branch, BYU, G
No. 28 | Dylan Mingo, Baylor, G
No. 30 | Miles Sadler, West Virginia, G
Once again, the Big 12 appears to have the top player thanks to highly touted freshman Tyran Stokes, and joining him in the top ten are Caleb Holt (Arizona) and Motiejus Krivas (Arizona).
If two players from Arizona weren’t enough, how about a third with Ivan Kharchenkov. How many teams out there have three first-round players on their roster? Not many, if any at all.
Baylor and BYU having a player inside the top 30 would also mark two straight years of first-round picks, and seeing a player from West Virginia (Miles Sadler) is very interesting because the Mountaineers haven’t had a first-round pick in nearly 20 years.
Even though seven isn’t as many as the nine they were taken in the first round this year, it’s still very good. Plus, that was just a first-round projection, which means that we could see even more players hear their name called in the second round.
Will there be 13 players drafted? Who knows, but what I do know is that the future remains bright in the Big 12. There is no shortage of talent in the conference, and NBA scouts know that, and I know that. And that is why the Big 12 is one of, if not the best, conference in the country.
