Henri Veesaar and Ryan Conwell slide out of 2026 NBA Draft first round
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 24, 2026, 6:06 AM
Last updated Jun 24, 2026
Henri Veesaar from North Carolina and Ryan Conwell from Louisville were noteworthy absences from the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. Veesaar, projected as a late first-round pick, fell due to concerns about his frame and explosiveness, alongside injury history. Conwell was seen as a potential first-round selection but faced questions regarding his defensive capabilities and role as a point guard. Both players are expected to be prominent in the second round. The second round begins on June 24 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
- •Henri Veesaar averaged 17.0 points and 8.7 rebounds last season.
- •Veesaar's draft stock dropped due to questions about his physicality and age.
- •Ryan Conwell averaged 18.8 points at Louisville but had concerns about defense.
- •Both players are anticipated to be top picks in the upcoming second round.
- •The second round of the draft starts on June 24 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
- 1:58 AMYahoo Sports — Why did Henri Veesaar continue to drop in the 2026 NBA Draft before Clippers pick?
- 5:01 PMYahoo Sports — Former UNC basketball player falls into second round of 2026 NBA Draft
- 12:21 PMYahoo Sports — Why did North Carolina's Henri Veesaar drop in the 2026 NBA Draft?
- 6:32 AMYahoo Sports — Why Did Braden Smith Slide Out of First Round? Breaking Down the Reasons for Purdue Star’s NBA Draft Slide
- 6:06 AMYahoo Sports — Why Did Henri Veesaar Slide Out of First Round? Breaking Down Reasons for North Carolina Star’s 2026 NBA Draft Slide
- 6:04 AMYahoo Sports — Why Did Ryan Conwell Slide Out of the First Round? Breaking Down the Reasons for the Louisville Star’s NBA Draft Slide
"Braden Smith left Purdue as one of the program’s most impactful players, yet he was not selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. Why Teams Passed on Braden Smith in the First Round of the NBA DraftIn Smith’s language, he has the “IQ to play,” and he is also the NCAA’s all-time leader in assists.
"The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft has concluded, with several notable prospects left on the board heading into Wednesday’s second round, including North Carolina’s Henri Veesaar. The Estonian big man is set to be one of the headliners of Round 2, with many seeking intel on his unexpected draft slide.
"Ryan Conwell went into the 2026 NBA Draft with a good chance of being selected in the first round. Instead, the Louisville guard watched all 30 first-round selections come and go without being picked, making him one of the biggest surprises still available entering Day 2.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 25, 2026, 1:58 AMWhy did Henri Veesaar continue to drop in the 2026 NBA Draft before Clippers pick?
North Carolina center Henri Veesaar was among the best players available for the 2026 NBA Draft Round 2. Why did he drop to the Hawks?
- Yahoo SportsJun 24, 2026, 5:01 PMFormer UNC basketball player falls into second round of 2026 NBA Draft
Former UNC Basketball center Henri Veesaar fell to the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
- Yahoo SportsJun 24, 2026, 12:21 PMWhy did North Carolina's Henri Veesaar drop in the 2026 NBA Draft?
North Carolina center Henri Veesaar was projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. So why did he drop into the second round?
- Yahoo SportsJun 24, 2026, 6:32 AMWhy Did Braden Smith Slide Out of First Round? Breaking Down the Reasons for Purdue Star’s NBA Draft Slide
Braden Smith left Purdue as one of the program’s most impactful players, yet he was not selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. Why Teams Passed on Braden Smith in the First Round of the NBA DraftIn Smith’s language, he has the “IQ to play,” and he is also the NCAA’s all-time leader in assists.
- Yahoo SportsJun 24, 2026, 6:06 AMWhy Did Henri Veesaar Slide Out of First Round? Breaking Down Reasons for North Carolina Star’s 2026 NBA Draft Slide
The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft has concluded, with several notable prospects left on the board heading into Wednesday’s second round, including North Carolina’s Henri Veesaar. The Estonian big man is set to be one of the headliners of Round 2, with many seeking intel on his unexpected draft slide.
- Yahoo SportsJun 24, 2026, 6:04 AMWhy Did Ryan Conwell Slide Out of the First Round? Breaking Down the Reasons for the Louisville Star’s NBA Draft Slide
Ryan Conwell went into the 2026 NBA Draft with a good chance of being selected in the first round. Instead, the Louisville guard watched all 30 first-round selections come and go without being picked, making him one of the biggest surprises still available entering Day 2.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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