NBA mock draft 2026 features changes near top after scouting combine

CHICAGO — The impact of the2026 NBA Draft Scouting Combineon the actual draft is an annual debate.

After years of evaluating players during high school, grassroots and college basketball games,NBA teams gathered in Chicago this weekto conduct medical exams and put the best draft prospects in the world through measurements, agility testing, shooting drills and scrimmages. Hundreds of front office executives were at Wintrust Arena, and inevitably a few draft narratives emerged along with the wingspans, vertical jumps and medical reports.

The early speculation is the top-four players in this class are set but the order in which they'll be selected remains up for grabs during the pre-draft process. There's also a promising group of guards projected as the next best available prospects, so much so there could be promising wings and big men capable of jumping into the top-10 and late lottery picks. The late first round outlook could change in the coming weeks,with several players poised to return to collegedue lucrative NIL opportunities.

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USA TODAY Sportswas in the building in Chicago during the NBA Draft Scouting Combine sifting through the latest rumors and speculation after the NBA Draft lottery.Some picks have changedbased on the intel. Here's our updated 2026 NBA mock draft based on what we learned from Combine workouts and interviews:

2026 NBA DRAFT:Why AJ Dybantsa is on a mission to be the No. 1 pick

2026 NBA mock draft: Post-scouting combine edition

1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa

• TEAM: BYU

• POSITION: Wing

• BORN: Massachusetts

• HEIGHT: 6-9

• DRAFT AGE: 19

2. Utah Jazz: Darryn Peterson

• TEAM: Kansas

• POSITION: Guard

• BORN: Ohio

• HEIGHT: 6-5

• DRAFT AGE: 19

3. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer

• TEAM: Duke

• POSITION: Forward

• BORN: Florida

• HEIGHT: 6-9

• DRAFT AGE: 18

4. Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson

• TEAM: North Carolina

• POSITION: Big

• BORN: Georgia

• HEIGHT: 6-10

• DRAFT AGE: 19

5. Los Angeles Clippers: Keaton Wagler

• TEAM: Illinois

• POSITION: Wing

• BORN: Kansas

• HEIGHT: 6-6

• DRAFT AGE: 19

6. Brooklyn Nets: Darius Acuff Jr.

• TEAM: Arkansas

• POSITION: Guard

• BORN: Michigan

• HEIGHT: 6-3

• DRAFT AGE: 19

7. Sacramento Kings: Mikel Brown Jr.

• TEAM: Louisville

• POSITION: Guard

• BORN: Florida

• HEIGHT: 6-5

• DRAFT AGE: 20

8. Atlanta Hawks: Kingston Flemings

• TEAM: Houston

• POSITION: Guard

• BORN: Texas

• HEIGHT: 6-4

• DRAFT AGE: 19

9. Dallas Mavericks: Brayden Burries

• TEAM: Arizona

• POSITION: Guard

• BORN: California

• HEIGHT: 6-4

• DRAFT AGE: 20

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Nate Ament

• TEAM: Tennessee

• POSITION: Wing

• BORN: Virginia

• HEIGHT: 6-10

• DRAFT AGE: 19

11. Golden State Warriors: Aday Mara

• TEAM: Michigan

• POSITION: Big

• BORN: Spain

• HEIGHT: 7-3

• DRAFT AGE: 21

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Yaxel Lendeborg

• TEAM: Michigan

• POSITION: Forward

• BORN: New Jersey

• HEIGHT: 6-9

• DRAFT AGE: 23

13. Miami Heat: Labaron Philon

• TEAM: Alabama

• POSITION: Guard

• BORN: Alabama

• HEIGHT: 6-4

• DRAFT AGE: 20

14. Charlotte Hornets: Hannes Steinbach

• TEAM: Washington

• POSITION: Big

• BORN: Germany

• HEIGHT: 6-11

• DRAFT AGE: 20

15. Chicago Bulls: Jayden Quaintance

• TEAM: Kentucky

• POSITION: Big

• BORN: Ohio

• HEIGHT: 6-9

• DRAFT AGE: 18

16. Memphis Grizzlies: Cameron Carr

• TEAM: Baylor

• POSITION: Wing

• BORN: Minnesota

• HEIGHT: 6-5

• DRAFT AGE: 21

17. Oklahoma City Thunder: Chric Cenac Jr.

• TEAM: Houston

• POSITION: Big

• BORN: Louisiana

• HEIGHT: 6-11

• DRAFT AGE: 19

18. Charlotte Hornets: Karim Lopez

• TEAM: International (Australia)

• POSITION: Forward

• BORN: Mexico

• HEIGHT: 6-8

• DRAFT AGE: 19

19. Toronto Raptors: Bennett Stirtz

• TEAM: Iowa

• POSITION: Guard

• BORN: Missouri

• HEIGHT: 6-4

• DRAFT AGE: 22

20. San Antonio Spurs: Morez Johnson Jr.

• TEAM: Michigan

• POSITION: Big

• BORN: Illinois

• HEIGHT: 6-9

• DRAFT AGE: 20

21. Detroit Pistons: Christian Anderson

• TEAM: Texas Tech

• POSITION: Guard

• BORN: Georgia

• HEIGHT: 6-3

• DRAFT AGE: 20

22. Philadelphia 76ers: Allen Graves

• TEAM: Santa Clara

• POSITION: Forward

• BORN: Louisiana

• HEIGHT: 6-9

• DRAFT AGE: 20

23. Atlanta Hawks: Isaiah Evans

• TEAM: Duke 

• POSITION: Wing 

• BORN: North Carolina 

• HEIGHT: 6-6 

• DRAFT AGE: 20

24. New York Knicks: Koa Peat

• TEAM: Arizona

• POSITION: Forward

• BORN: Arizona

• HEIGHT: 6-8

• DRAFT AGE: 19

25. Los Angeles Lakers: Henri Veesaar

• TEAM: North Carolina 

• POSITION: Forward 

• BORN: Estonia 

• HEIGHT: 7-0 

• DRAFT AGE: 22

26. Denver Nuggets: Amari Allen

• TEAM: Alabama

• POSITION: Wing

• BORN: Wisconsin

• HEIGHT: 6-7

• DRAFT AGE: 20

27. Boston Celtics: Luigi Suigo

• TEAM: International (Serbia)

• POSITION: Big

• BORN: Italy

• HEIGHT: 7-4

• DRAFT AGE: 19

28. Minnesota Timberwolves: Ebuka Okorie

• TEAM: Stanford

• POSITION: Guard

• BORN: New Hampshire

• HEIGHT: 6-2

• DRAFT AGE: 19

29. Cleveland Cavaliers: Malachi Moreno

• TEAM: Kentucky

• POSITION: Center

• BORN: Kentucky

• HEIGHT: 7-0

• DRAFT AGE: 19

30. Dallas Mavericks: Dailyn Swain

• TEAM: Texas

• POSITION: Wing

• BORN: Ohio

• HEIGHT: 6-8

• DRAFT AGE: 20

Contributing: Bryan Kalbrosky

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 NBA mock draft: Did scouting combine shake up first round?

byDaniel Coleman

in

May 15, 2026

NBA mock draft 2026 features changes near top after scouting combine

CHICAGO — The impact of the2026 NBA Draft Scouting Combineon the actual draft is an annual debate. After years of evaluating playe...

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Trump approval sinks as costs rise, poll finds

With less than six months until the midterm elections, PresidentDonald Trumpis facing record disapproval on the economy and healthcare, according to anew CNN/SSRS poll, as concerns about rising costs continue to weigh on voters.

The survey, conducted April 30 to May 4, found 77% of Americans say Trump’s policies have increased the cost of living in their communities, while about two-thirds say those policies have worsened economic conditions nationwide. The results also show Trump’s approval on the economy at a low point and his healthcare disapproval at a record high.

The findings come asTrump has emphasized foreign policy prioritiesover domestic economic concerns. Asked about rising gas prices on May 12, the president said his focus was on preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

“I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing. We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all,” Trump said.

The poll surveyed 1,499 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of ±2.8 percentage points.

More:Vegan, '6 genders', a 'real hit on Jesus.' Why is Trump going after Talarico?

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Trump’s approval ratings

Trump’sdisapproval on healthcarehas reached 65%, the highest level for any president this century, with former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush hitting peaks of 63% in 2006 and 2014, respectively. according to a CNN analysis.

Overall, just35% of Americans approve of Trump’s performance, leaving him underwater in the latest survey. His approval rating has been net negative for roughly a year and has trended more negative in recent months.

According to polling averages as of May 15:

• New York Times: 38% approve, 59% disapprove

• Silver Bulletin: 38.5% approve, 58.3% disapprove

• RealClearPolitics Poll Average: 40.3% approve, 56.5% disapprove

USA TODAY’s Kinsey Crowley and Joey Garrison contributed to this report.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trump disapproval rises on economy, healthcare: CNN poll

byDaniel Coleman

in

May 15, 2026

Trump approval sinks as costs rise, poll finds

With less than six months until the midterm elections, PresidentDonald Trumpis facing record disapproval on the economy and healthcare,...

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Dodgers LHP Blake Snell (elbow) scratched from start, placed on IL

Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell was scratched from his Friday start hours before the opener of the Freeway Series against the Angels in Anaheim and placed on the 15-day injured list.

The Dodgers said the 33-year-old Snell was scratched due to loose bodies in his left elbow.

The IL move is retroactive to Tuesday.

The Dodgers are now listing right-hander Will Klein (1-2, 2.76 ERA) to be the first pitcher in what will be a bullpen game.

The contest was slated to be Snell's second appearance of the season. His season got off to a late start due to shoulder issues and he made his season debut last Saturday against the Atlanta Braves.

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Snell struggled against the Braves as he allowed five runs (four earned) and six hits while throwing 77 pitches in just three innings. He struck out five and walked two while taking the loss.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner was limited to 11 starts last season due to a shoulder injury and went 5-4 with a 2.35 ERA in his first season with the Dodgers. In the postseason, he went 3-2 with a 3.18 ERA in six appearances (five starts) to help the Dodgers win the World Series.

Snell is 81-63 with a 3.17 ERA in 223 career starts over 11 major league seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays (2016-20), San Diego Padres (2021-23), San Francisco Giants (2024) and Dodgers.

Snell won the American League Cy Young with the Rays in 2018 and took National League honors in 2023 for the Padres.

Los Angeles recalled left-hander Charlie Barnes in a corresponding move. Barnes, 30, hasn't appeared in a game for the Dodgers since being claimed off waivers from the Chicago Cubs last Saturday. He gave up four runs (three earned) in three innings in his one outing for the Cubs.

--Field Level Media

byDaniel Coleman

in

May 15, 2026

Dodgers LHP Blake Snell (elbow) scratched from start, placed on IL

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Destin High flag football team falls one step short of state Final 4

They didn’t make it to state, but they came mighty close.

The Destin High School Sharks flag football team lost to the Bolles Bulldogs 40-13 in an Elite Eight matchup in Jacksonville on May 7 in the Class 1A FHSAA girls flag football regional finals.

“We started out well. It was just one of those games where the ball just didn’t bounce our way,” Destin Coach Kyle Bryant said.

“There were freak accidents ... like the ball bouncing off the girl's chest and landing in the other girl's hands,” Bryant said.

He said the Bulldogs made some “miraculous” catches for scores.

“It just wasn’t our night,” he said.

More:Destin flag football wins regional playoff opener, set for rematch

Nevertheless, the Sharks scored the first and last touchdowns of the game.

Senior Bailey Gaffney scored the last TD, and Kaylee Kaiser the first.

This was the Sharks' first year to be eligible tocompete in the FHSAA playoffs.

“I’ve talked about winning state and planned to win state. But to get to the Elite Eight and actually do what you said you would do, that you were trying to do, is miraculous in itself,” Bryant said.

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The Sharks wrapped up their season 12-6.

“I’m beyond proud of those girls,” Bryant said, noting they have dealt with a lot this year.“The stuff they overcame was nothing short of miraculous."

Bryant said they've had teammates leave, key players get hurt and still made it to the Elite Eight.

"It’s a testament to the seniors,” he said.

Senior Sharks were Evie Gherdovich, Mia Castaneda, Elena Martin and Bailey Gaffney.

The Sharks should have a good nucleus of players returning next season: Neilya Stewart, Kaylee Kaiser, Lilly McClen and Lindi Mansfield to name a few.

“I had some freshmen that I moved up ... I’m looking forward to them growing over the summer,” he said.

“I’m extremely proud and honored to be their coach,” Bryant said. “This was a special team from top to bottom. As a whole, even the girls that might not have filled up the stat sheet were just as important.

“It was just a great group of girls. The energy they had the whole year was so phenomenal. It was a breath of fresh air to be around them, and they worked hard and deserved everything they got,” Bryant said.

And the fact that the Sharks made it to the Elite Eight in their first year of eligibility just adds pressure.

“The pressure only grows now. This is what we expect from ourselves. But in order to be there, you’ve got to prepare to be there,” Bryant said. “And preparation starts now."

This article originally appeared on The Destin Log:Destin High School Sharks flag football season ends in Elite Eight

byDaniel Coleman

in

May 14, 2026

Destin High flag football team falls one step short of state Final 4

They didn’t make it to state, but they came mighty close. The Destin High School Sharks flag football team lost to the Bolles Bull...

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Parents sue OpenAI over teen's death after he used ChatGPT to get drug info

Family of teen who died from a drug overdose after consulting ChatGPT sues OpenAI 04:46

A Texas couple whose son died of an overdose in 2025 after using OpenAI's ChatGPT tool to get information about drugs sued the technology company on Tuesday, blaming the AI platform for his death.

Leila Turner-Scott and her husband, Angus Scott, are seekingto hold OpenAIandits creators accountableafter their son, Sam Nelson, who was 19 when he died, turned to ChatGPT to advise him on using drugs. The AI platform provided advice it was not qualified to dispense, they alleged in the lawsuit, claiming that Sam would still be alive if not for ChatGPT's flawed programming.

Specifically, the platform advised the couple's son that it was safe to take kratom, a supplement used in drinks, pills and other products, in combination with Xanax, a widely used anti-anxiety medication, according to the suit, filed in California state court.

"This is a heartbreaking situation, and our thoughts are with the family," OpenAI said in a statement to CBS News.

The company also said that Sam interacted with a version of ChatGPT that has since been updated and is no longer available to the public.

"ChatGPT is not a substitute for medical or mental health care, and we have continued to strengthen how it responds in sensitive and acute situations with input from mental health experts," OpenAiI said. "The safeguards in ChatGPT today are designed to identify distress, safely handle harmful requests and guide users to real-world help. This work is ongoing, and we continue to improve it in close consultation with clinicians."

Turner-Scott told CBS News in an exclusive interview that she knew her son was using ChatGPT as a productivity tool and for homework help. But she said she was unaware that he was using it for guidance on drugs, alleging that the AI tool eventually recommended a lethal combination of substances.

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She holds OpenAI and its creators responsible for Sam's death, alleging that the company "bypassed safety guards" and could have implemented restrictions to avoid such tragedies.

"The chatbot is capable of stopping a conversation when it's told to or when it's programmed to. ...And they took away the programming that did that, and they allowed it to continue advising self-harm," Turner-Scott told CBS News.

Did ChatGPT act as a doctor?

Angus Scott also said ChatGPT acted as a medical doctor in its exchanges with his stepson, even though it was not licensed to offer medical advice.

"It's providing information to the public about safety concerns, about drug interactions, about all of this information," he told CBS News.

Without proper safety protocols and more rigorous safety testing, ChatGPT "can dispense that knowledge in a way that is very dangerous to people," Angus Scott said.

"It can start feeding psychosis. It can start misrepresenting things to people. And while it is trying to validate users, it's also undermining any chance that that user has to get a grounded opinion, you know, and so it kind of takes them away from reality," he added.

Turner-Scott told CBS News that she is confident that her son, who would have been a rising college sophomore, would support the steps the family is taking to hold the makers of AI chatbots accountable for the potential adverse effects they can have on users' lives.

"He would not want anyone else to be harmed like he was," she said.

byDaniel Coleman

in

May 14, 2026

Parents sue OpenAI over teen's death after he used ChatGPT to get drug info

Family of teen who died from a drug overdose after consulting ChatGPT sues OpenAI 04:46 A Texas couple whose son died of an overd...

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