April 7, 2026, 4:06 p.m. ET
The men’s NCAA Tournament has wrapped up with the Michigan Wolverines taking home their first championship since 1989. Now is the time to look at some potential prospects for the Philadelphia 76ers from this year’s tournament. While the Sixers don’t control their own first-round pick–top 4 protected–they did acquire a first-round pick in 2026 from the Oklahoma City Thunder, via the Houston Rockets, in the Jared McCain trade at the deadline.
The pick the Sixers have in the upcoming June draft will likely be somewhere in the 20s due to the success the Rockets are having on the season. The pick could range anywhere from 22-to-26 so this edition is going to focus on players who are likely to land in that area. The chances of Philadelphia keeping its top 4 pick are slim so that pick will likely convey to the Thunder as part of the Al Horford deal from 2020.
Here are five players from the NCAA Tournament who make sense for the Sixers in that aforementioned range:
Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
Round of 64 stats: 9 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks
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Round of 32 stats: 11 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks
Sweet 16 stats: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks
Elite 8 stats: 6 points, 12 rebounds
Final Four stats: 11 points, 6 rebounds
Standing at 7-foot-2, Krivas is an impactful defender as he protects the rim well, grabs rebounds, and does a fantastic job of forcing opposing ball-handlers to stay out of the paint. The Sixers can always use more size off the bench, and need impactful rebounders–an area they have struggled as of late. He has great footwork, great hands to catch passes, and can finish around the rim. He isn’t flashy by any means, but a team isn’t looking for flash late in the first round. They need production. That’s what Krivas gives.
Aday Mara, Michigan
Round of 64 stats: 19 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks
Round of 32 stats: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks
Sweet 16 stats: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks
Elite 8 stats: 11 points, 4 rebounds
Final Four stats: 26 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks
Championship game stats: 8 points, 4 rebounds
Keeping with the size theme here, Mara stands at 7-foot-3 and is an elite shot blocker. His real impact will be felt on the defensive end of the floor where he will look to give any team in the NBA a real rim protector and somebody who can clog the paint. As far as the offense is concerned, Mara is a solid playmaker who finishes well around the basket and can give a team like the Sixers some real versatility and size off the bench at the center spot. There are some doubts about how much ground he will be able to cover in the league, but Mara has some real skill on the floor.
Chris Cenac Jr., Houston
Round of 64 stats: 7 points, 18 rebounds
Round of 32 stats: 17 points, 9 rebounds
Sweet 16 stats: 6 points, 10 rebounds
Another big man, Cenac has a ton of mobility and athleticism which will translate to the league. He has a nice touch on his jumper, and while primarily playing the 4, he can also play the 5. He isn’t much of a shot blocker, but his athleticism and basketball IQ will make him a plus-defender at the next level. Cenac will have to keep developing, but when considering the Sixers still figure to be looking to contend in 2026-27, they can view him as a prospect with a ton of upside.
Patrick Ngongba II, Duke
Round of 64 stats: Missed due to injury
Round of 32 stats: 4 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Sweet 16 stats: 3 points, 2 rebounds
Elite 8 stats: 6 points, 5 rebounds
Ngongba was slowed by injury in the tournament, but he has some real strengths that make him a perfect fit for today’s game. He is a great passer, an interior defender, and his defensive instincts and feel for the game will make him a dream for coaches to work with. He isn’t the most athletic guy and that could be an issue, but his IQ will make him a top prospect when June rolls around.
Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
Round of 64 stats: 21 points, 10 rebounds
Round of 32 stats: 15 points, 8 rebounds
Sweet 16 stats: 7 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks
Elite 8 stats: 12 points, 5 rebounds
Final Four stats: 10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
Championship game stats: 12 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks
Johnson has a 7-foot-2 wingspan which allows him to play bigger than his 6-foot-9 height and defend bigger 4s and 5s on the floor. He is athletic, has a high basketball IQ, and figures to be a rotational player right away in the league. His 3-point shot is limited to mainly to standstill, catch-and-shoot 3s, but he is somebody who can give the Sixers some real minutes off the bench in the future.