The NBA’s 2026 early-entry list had just 71 players, and this chart shows how sharply draft declarations have fallen in the NIL era.

The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery will be the last of its kind. Whatever it looks like next season, after Adam Silver pushes anti-tanking measures, the lottery is going to look very different. And likely more complex than the current one, which uses 14 numbered ping-pong balls in a lottery machine, creating 1001 possible combinations.

NBA Draft which will be held June 23-24. Official release NEW YORK, April 27, 2026 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that 71 players have filed as early entry candidates for NBA Draft 2026,

A total of 71 prospects have declared as early entrants for the 2026 draft, which is the lowest total since 2003.

The NBA announced Monday that 71 players have filed as early entry candidates for the 2026 NBA Draft. The list is headlined by a loaded true freshman class that includes BYU's AJ Dybantsa, Kansas' Darryn Peterson and Duke's Cameron Boozer, among others.

The latest on Wilson from Chicago ahead of next month's draft.