A Look at Every Former NC State Player Selected in the NBA Draft

The 2026 NBA Draft kicks off tonight, making it a good time to take a look back at NC State’s history in the event.

Over the years, a total of 66 former NC State basketball players have heard their names called on draft night.

The Most Recent Draft Picks

The most recent former NC State player selected in the NBA Draft was Dennis Smith Jr.

After a sensational freshman season in Raleigh, Smith was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Since Smith’s selection, the Wolfpack has been waiting for its next NBA Draft pick.

That drought could potentially end this year, with several outlets recently projecting Quadir Copeland as a late second-round selection in the 2026 NBA Draft.

NC State’s First-Round Success

While recent draft success has been limited, NC State has produced its share of NBA talent throughout history.

In total, 16 former Wolfpack players have been selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.

Several of those players went on to enjoy lengthy professional careers, including NC State legends David Thompson, Tom Gugliotta, Rodney Monroe, and Dennis Smith Jr.

Total Draft Picks by Round

NC State’s 66 NBA Draft selections break down as follows:

🏀 First Round: 16

🏀 Second Round: 13

🏀 Other Draft Rounds: 37

The Wolfpack’s history of producing professional basketball talent stretches across multiple generations, from the David Thompson era of the 1970s all the way through modern players like Dennis Smith Jr.

Full List of NC State NBA Draft Picks