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The Road to the NBA Continues to Run Through Postgame NIL
29 players selected in the 2026 NBA Draft participated in Postgame campaigns, including 18 First Rounders.
(Sarasota, FL) - The 2026 NBA Draft once again showcased the incredible talent pipeline that has flowed through Postgame's NIL ecosystem. Of the 30 players selected in the First Round, 18 previously partnered with brands through Postgame campaigns, with another 11 hearing their names called in the Second Round.
Leading the way was No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson, one of the most highly-touted high school prospects in recent memory. The adidas athlete and McDonald's All-American earned national recognition as one of the top guards in the country before partnering with Postgame and adidas.
No. 2 Darryn Peterson - adidas
At No. 5, Keaton Wagler became one of the highest-drafted forwards in his class after a breakout season that solidified him as one of college basketball's most versatile frontcourt players. Wagler partnered with Wendy's through Postgame prior to draft night.
Selected sixth overall was Mikel Brown Jr., a McDonald's All-American and one of the nation's premier point guards. Known for his elite playmaking and scoring ability, Brown worked with Raising Cane's through Postgame.
No. 6 Mikel Brown Jr. - Raising Cane's
The No. 7 pick, Darius Acuff Jr., arrived at the draft after establishing himself as one of the most dynamic scoring guards in the country. Acuff partnered with CVS Pharmacy in a Postgame NIL campaign.
At No. 9, Morez Johnson Jr. heard his name called after helping lead Michigan to the 2026 National Championship. One of the nation's most impactful rebounders and interior defenders, Johnson played a key role throughout the Wolverines' title run before partnering with Wendy's through Postgame.
The success continued throughout the remainder of the First Round, with 12 additional athletes who have worked with Postgame hearing their names called. These players participated in campaigns for some of the nation's leading brands, including adidas, CVS Pharmacy, Raising Cane's, and Wendy's, further demonstrating Postgame's ability to connect brands with the next generation of basketball stars before they reach the professional level.
Additional First Round Selections:
No. 10 Brayden Burries - Raising Cane's
No. 11 Yaxel Lendeborg - Wendy's
No. 15 Dailyn Swain - Raising Cane's
No. 17 Ebuka Okorie - CVS
No. 18 Christian Anderson - adidas
No. 20 Jayden Quaintance - CVS
No. 22 Labaron Philon - Raising Cane's
No. 23 Zuby Ejiofor - Raising Cane's
No. 26 Tarris Reed Jr. - Wendy's
No. 27 Chris Cenac Jr. - Raising Cane's
No. 28 Joshua Jefferson - Raising Cane's
No. 29 Alex Karaban - CVS
No. 30 Koa Peat - Wendy's
The momentum continued into Round Two with 11 more Postgame athletes hearing their names called:
No. 31 Bruce Thornton - Hollister
No. 34 Meleek Thomas - Dove Men+Care x Walmart
No. 37 Ryan Conwell - adidas
No. 38 Braden Smith - Raising Cane's
No. 40 Dillon Mitchell - Raising Cane's
No. 41 Otega Oweh - Raising Cane's
No. 42 Ja'Kobi Gillespie - Raising Cane's
No. 44 Maliq Brown - goodr
No. 45 Emanuel Sharp - Stanley No. 50 Jaden Bradley - Crocs No. 59 Trey Kaufman-Renn - Papatui
As the NIL landscape continues to evolve, Postgame remains proud to help connect brands with athletes long before they become household names. From future lottery picks and All-Americans to national champions and award winners, our campaigns continue to showcase athletes at every stage of their journey.
The success of this year's draft class is another reflection of Postgame's ability to identify emerging talent, execute campaigns at scale, and work seamlessly with athletes regardless of representation.
To learn more about integrating your brand with the next generation of stars during the biggest moments in sports, contact us at info@pstgm.com.