Texas Basketball Builds Success on NBA Pipeline

The Longhorns program continues to develop top-tier professional talent alongside new Moody Center partnerships.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Basketball

Texas Basketball Builds Success on NBA Pipeline

Live Poll

Is success in the NCAA tournament necessary for a college player to succeed in the NBA?

The Texas men's basketball program has solidified its reputation for player development with recent high-profile NBA draft selections. The university currently maintains 10 former players on active NBA rosters.

Why it matters

Head coach Sean Miller emphasizes that individual success and high draft positioning are direct results of strong team performances in the NCAA tournament. This philosophy aims to sustain the competitive pipeline that has produced multiple first-round picks.

The Texas program currently sees 10 former players on active NBA rosters, bolstered by recent draft selections like Tre Johnson at No. 6 and Dailyn Swain at No. 15. The team also prepares for three San Antonio Spurs games at the Moody Center.

The players

Sean Miller

He is a veteran college head coach with 21 years of experience who previously led programs at Xavier and Arizona.

Kevin Durant

He is a professional basketball player and two-time NBA Finals MVP who collaborates with Texas players through his Nike brands.

Tre Johnson

He is a former Texas standout who was selected as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Dailyn Swain

He is a former Texas player who achieved a first-round selection as the No. 15 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

San Antonio Spurs

This professional basketball organization is scheduled to play three regular-season games at the Moody Center in Austin.

The details

Current Texas players are leveraging an NIL partnership with Kevin Durant's Nike brands to build their professional profiles. Meanwhile, the university is set to play a preseason scrimmage against St. John's at Madison Square Garden this Sunday.

2018 marked when Deandre Ayton was selected No. 1 overall in the NBA draft.
2025 NBA Draft featured Tre Johnson as the No. 6 selection.
2026 NBA Draft saw Dailyn Swain selected at No. 15.
October 20, 2026, served as the start of the current NBA season.

Season Trajectory

The program's focus on team success in the NCAA tournament provides a clear roadmap for prospective NBA talent to improve their draft stock. This trajectory places Texas as a central hub for professional development while increasing the visibility of the Moody Center on the national stage.

Fans in Austin will have direct access to professional basketball with the San Antonio Spurs playing three games at the Moody Center this season. Prospective athletes may also view the program's recent draft results as a primary indicator of professional potential.

The takeaway

The sustained pipeline of talent from Austin to the professional level demonstrates the efficacy of blending high-level coaching with elite NIL partnerships. Young athletes should note that consistent team success remains the primary catalyst for achieving top NBA draft positioning.