Now that the 2025 NBA Draft is in the books, it's never too early to look ahead to the 2026 Draft. There have been mock drafts that have been released, and one of them has good news for Virginia Tech and one of their top players next season.
Jonathan Givony and Jermey Woo of ESPN released their 2026 NBA mock draft and they had Hokies' forward Tobi Lawal being one of the last picks in the second round, No. 58. Interestingly enough, this mock draft did not have incoming Virginia Tech star Neoklis Avdalas, who was predicted to be a late first-round pick by On3.
ESPN has Tobi Lawal a late second-round draft pick in 2026
Lawal went through the NBA Draft process this season and got feedback. He announced after the season ended for the Hokies that he was entering the NBA Draft, but left the option open to return to Virginia Tech if he withdrew, and he did.
Lawal is a freak athlete and can jump high off the floor, working a pick and roll last season with the Hokies' guards. During the NBA Draft process, Lawal hinted at his return to Blacksburg in late April before making it official last month.
The plan is to come back to Tech,’’ Lawal said in April. “I don’t think I'm ready. But I kind of judge myself much more harshly than other people. So I want to see what everyone else will say."
Lawal and Avdalas give Virginia Tech two potential NBA Draft picks next season on their roster as they look to rebound from a disappointing 13-19 season. Both players got a lot of feedback from NBA scouts, which is what they were looking for, and another year of college basketball for both should raise their stock by the time next June rolls around.