Stanford freshman Ebuka Okorie has made his NBA draft intentions clear. Speaking at the combine on Wednesday, the standout guard confirmed he will remain in the 2026 NBA draft and forgo his remaining college eligibility, according to ESPN's Jeff Borzello.
Okorie's decision comes as little surprise given his historic freshman campaign. The 6-foot-2 guard earned Associated Press All-American honorable mention honors after averaging an eye-popping 23.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He led the ACC in scoring and ranked seventh nationally, shooting an impressive 35.4% from beyond the arc.
But Okorie didn't just lead the conference—he rewrote the record books. His scoring average is the highest ever by a freshman in ACC history, surpassing the previous mark set by Duke's R.J. Barrett (22.6 points per game) during the 2017-18 season. He also recorded eight 30-point performances, the most by any freshman in conference history.
What makes Okorie such an intriguing prospect? His scoring versatility and ability to create shots from anywhere on the floor. He averaged 7.3 free-throw attempts per game with the Cardinal, constantly putting pressure on opposing defenses. His 719 total points rank third all-time in Stanford program history, just 16 shy of Adam Keefe's single-season record.
Okorie is also part of an elite group—one of just 12 freshmen since 2000 to average at least 20 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. That kind of all-around production has him projected as a likely first-round pick, which solidified his decision to stay in the draft.
"I already talked with Kyle Smith and I talked to my agents and my family. I'm staying in the draft," Okorie said at the combine, where he's one of more than 70 prospects competing this week.
At just 19 years old, Okorie's scoring prowess and court vision make him one of the most exciting young guards in this year's class. For fans looking to rep the next generation of NBA talent, keep an eye on this Stanford standout as draft night approaches.