Tobi Lawal says he is ready to dedicate himself completely to improving after becoming the latest British player to hear his name called in the NBA Draft. The 23-year-old forward was selected 48th overall by the Dallas Mavericks following two seasons as a starter at Virginia Tech, with the second-round choice offering him the chance to continue his rapid rise in the sport.
Standing 6ft 8in tall, Lawal only began playing organised basketball at the age of 16 after developing his skills at the City of London Academy. His journey then took him from south London to a high school in Maine before he spent two years at Virginia Commonwealth University and later moved to Virginia Tech.
Although second-round selections are often viewed as long-term projects, Lawal is determined to use the opportunity to sharpen every aspect of his game. He believes regular access to training facilities will help him reach his potential after facing limited opportunities to practice while growing up in London.
Determined to keep improving
Lawal explained that he intends to spend as much time as possible working on his development, saying he enjoys improving not only as a basketball player but also as a person and in his faith. Having a gym close to where he now lives, he believes, gives him the ideal environment to continue progressing.
He also hopes his story encourages young people to pursue their ambitions regardless of when they begin. Having taken up competitive basketball relatively late, Lawal feels his career demonstrates that significant progress is still possible through commitment and hard work.
The second round of the draft concluded in New York on Wednesday after 30 additional players were selected. A day earlier, the opening round saw the Washington Wizards make former Brigham Young University small forward AJ Dybantsa the first overall pick.
Draft shapes franchises for the future
Every NBA Draft offers teams the chance to transform their fortunes, while players chosen outside the spotlight can eventually become stars. Recent examples include Victor Wembanyama, whose arrival helped San Antonio reach the NBA Finals after ending the franchise’s play-off drought, while Finals MVP Jalen Brunson entered the league as a second-round pick in 2018. Nikola Jokic, Draymond Green, and Dennis Rodman also developed into standout players despite not being top selections.
Washington chose Dybantsa after extending Trae Young’s contract and hopes he can help lift a squad that also features Anthony Davis following a 17-65 season. The Wizards are targeting their first play-off appearance since the 2020-21 campaign.
The Utah Jazz held the second selection and opted for point guard Darryn Peterson over Duke power forward Cam Boozer, whose father, Carlos, is a Jazz legend and now works in the club’s front office. Memphis then drafted Boozer with the third pick before adding further assets by moving from 16th to 21st in the opening round, where they selected Karim Lopez, making him the first Mexican-born player ever chosen in the first round.
Memphis strengthened further by acquiring former first-round pick Isaiah Stewart before using the 32nd selection on guard Richie Saunders, whose basketball path included a two-year church mission before beginning his college career. Oklahoma City, despite owning the league’s best regular-season record for a second straight year, also entered the draft with two top-16 picks after their play-off defeat to San Antonio. The Thunder responded by selecting Spanish 7ft 3in centre Aday Mara with the 12th pick before adding point guard Bennett Stirtz at number 16.
Major trades reshape the NBA landscape
Alongside the draft, several high-profile deals were agreed as teams prepared for the 2026-27 season. Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to join the Miami Heat after the Milwaukee Bucks accepted Miami’s trade package instead of Boston’s proposed offer, which included Jaylen Brown.
Milwaukee used assets from that agreement to draft Brayden Burries with the 10th selection and Nate Ament three places later before ending the draft by choosing Trinidad and Tobago forward Malique Lewis with the final pick at number 60. Lewis has spent the past two seasons playing for South East Melbourne Phoenix.
Miami’s expected acquisition of Antetokounmpo has dramatically improved expectations surrounding the franchise, with the Heat now viewed among the strongest contenders for the 2027 NBA title. Only Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Boston, and the New York Knicks are considered to have better championship prospects.
Another significant move will see the Charlotte Hornets send guards LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Naz Reid and multiple draft selections, according to reports. Minnesota pursued the deal after Anthony Edwards indicated he would request a trade unless the organisation assembled a roster capable of competing for a championship.