Joshua Jefferson and Tamin Lipsey are hoping to hear their names called in the 2026 NBA Draft and add to the Cyclone legacy of NBA players.
Jefferson and Lipsey were both stars in their time at Iowa State, especially as seniors. Jefferson was a strong isolation scorer who could bully smaller defenders and hit tough shots when Iowa State needed a bucket.
Lipsey was the hustle man, a fan favorite floor general who had one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in the nation and played lockdown defense for the Cyclones at the point guard position.
Now it is time to see what these Cyclone alumni can do professionally, and if they are fit for the best league in the world.
Jefferson Projected Draft Pick
The 6-foot-9, 240-pound power forward has a wide range of projections in this year’s NBA draft. Jefferson has been projected to go as high as the 22nd pick in the first round, all the way down to the 33rd pick or the third pick in the second round.
USA Today and CBS Sports have mock drafts that project Jefferson will land in the first round. USA Today has Jefferson landing with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid with the Philadelphia 76ers at 22nd overall. CBS Sports has Jefferson making a short move up to Minneapolis to team up with Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves, who have the 28th pick.
However, Bleacher Report and ESPN have Jefferson landing in the early second round. Bleacher Report predicts that Jefferson will be the second pick in round two, landing with the Memphis Grizzlies. ESPN projects Jefferson to go third in the second round to play in the exact same arena that the draft is being held in, the Barclays Center, the home of the Brooklyn Nets.
According to the Rookie Wire, Jefferson has only done a pre-draft workout with the Memphis Grizzlies, possibly indicating that the Grizzlies are the frontrunners to draft Jefferson.
Jefferson has been given player comparisons to NBA players like Kyle Anderson, Lamar Odom and Scottie Barnes.
Lipsey Projected Draft Pick
Lipsey is looking to sneak his way into this year’s NBA Draft. According to the Rookie Wire, Lipsey has done pre-draft workouts with 11 NBA teams.
Boston Celtics
Chicago Bulls
Detroit Pistons
Golden State Warriors
Indiana Pacers
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Lakers
Milwaukee Bucks
Memphis Grizzlies
Oklahoma City Thunder
Sacramento Kings
While the point guard was projected to go undrafted in mock drafts by Bleacher Report, ESPN, USA Today and CBS Sports, the Clippers and the Grizzlies seem to have the strongest interest in Lipsey, with Yahoo Sports projecting Lipsey to be picked by the Clippers with the 52nd pick, but the Grizzlies not listed.
Lipsey has player comparisons to other defensive, high-IQ guards such as Eric Bledsoe, Jevon Carter and Cason Wallace.
The pressure of potentially not getting drafted can definitely be a burden on the shoulders of NBA draft prospects, and Lipsey gave his perspective on the whole pre-draft process.
“I’m trying not to put too much pressure on myself in each of the workouts,” Lipsey said. “Having that viewpoint and foundation of just being who I am, and if I do bad it’s not the end of the world, and if I do great it’s not a celebration.”
If Lipsey goes undrafted, he will still have opportunities to potentially play in the NBA’s Summer League, which could lead to a two-way deal with an NBA team.
The first round of the NBA Draft will start at 8 p.m. EST Tuesday, with the second round following on Wednesday at 8 p.m.
