Three Tennessee Volunteers basketball stars are making waves in the latest NBA draft projections, with ESPN's Jeremy Woo forecasting a bright future for the program's talent on the professional stage.

The 2026 NBA draft is set for June 23-24 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, featuring two rounds and 60 picks. The first round tips off on June 23 (ABC/ESPN), followed by the second round on June 24 (ESPN).

According to Woo's mock draft released Sunday, three Vols are slated to hear their names called: freshman sensation Nate Ament, veteran forward Felix Okpara, and dynamic guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie.

Ament leads the pack as a projected No. 10 overall pick in the first round, heading to the Milwaukee Bucks. The versatile forward's potential has scouts buzzing, and he retains the option to return to Tennessee for his sophomore season if he withdraws from the draft by the June 13 deadline.

Okpara is projected to go at No. 54 overall in the second round to the Golden State Warriors (via the Lakers), while Gillespie rounds out the draft as the final pick at No. 60 overall to the Washington Wizards (via Oklahoma City). Both Okpara and Gillespie have exhausted their college eligibility, making their NBA leap a certainty.

This trio's projection underscores Tennessee's growing reputation as a pipeline for professional talent, with head coach Rick Barnes continuing to develop players who can compete at the highest level. For Vols fans, it's a testament to the program's rising stock—and a reason to keep an eye on draft night.