As the college basketball season continues, the 2026 NBA Draft class has impressed scouts and media members.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday night, another group of prospects performed well as North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson and Arkansas’ Meleek Thomas each had big outings to help their teams secure wins.<\/p>\n
Wilson and Thomas weren’t the only potential 2026 NBA Draft picks in action on Nov. 18, though, as a number of prospects around the country starred for their squad. Two of those players were unable to come away with a win, despite solid performances in the contest.<\/p>\n
San Diego State fell 108-107 to Troy, with Miles Byrd scoring a team-high 24 points in the loss. The fourth-year junior shot 7-of-12 from the field and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, adding 3 rebounds, 3 assists and a block.<\/p>\n
Byrd is averaging 13.7 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.3 steals while shooting 53.8% from the field and 46.7% from 3-point range on 5 attempts per game. The skilled defender tested the NBA Draft waters last year, but elected to return to college basketball.<\/p>\n
At the NBA Combine, though, Byrd measured 6-foot-4 and three quarters of an inch without shoes while recording a 6-foot-10 wingspan. With good size and length on the wing, Byrd could continue to be a valuable defensive player at the next level.<\/p>\n
Coming into the 2025-26 season, one of Byrd’s main concern’s was his shooting splits after hitting 38.1% of his shots from the field and 30.1% of his shots from deep last year. If the wing prospect continues to have an efficient season, he could end up being a first-round pick.<\/p>\n
Alongisde Byrd, Gwath also had a strong showing against Troy. After missing teh Aztecs’ first two games of the year, the redshirt sophomore made his season debut on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The third-year sophomore finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals while shooting 5-of-5 from the field, 2-of-2 from beyond the arc and 8-of-12 from the free throw line. Listed at 7-feet tall and 212 pounds, Gwath’s defensive ability and 3-point potential could draw interest from NBA scouts.<\/p>\n
As a sophomore, the former Veritas Prep (CA) standout averaged 8.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 37.8% from 3-point range. If Gwath continues to perform well throughout the 2025-26 campaign, he too could be a first round pick in 2026.<\/p>\n
Troy’s Thomas Dowd was the game’s leading scorer, tallying 25 points, 19 rebounds and just 1 turnover while leading the Trojans to a victory.<\/p>\n
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