Utah Expected to Await Noam Yaacov as NBA Draft Looms

Noam Yaacov posted a photo on Saturday from the Dallas Mavericks practice facility as he prepared for the 2026 NBA Draft, which is set for this week. Even so, Utah’s basketball program is expecting the Israeli guard to join the Utes next season.

CBS reporter Brandon Judd said, “Yaacov will be the engine of Utah,” adding that Utah fans will watch his draft status closely and that, despite projections placing him in the second round, he is expected to play college basketball next season. CBS also wrote that for Utah supporters, who want the once-proud program to return to its former glory under ex-Utah star head coach Alex Jensen, seeing Yaacov in a red Utah uniform was especially encouraging.

CBS asked whether Yaacov’s expected arrival could help the Utes end a NCAA Tournament drought that has lasted more than a decade. It also said Utah will have one of the Big 12’s best guards next season, describing the 21-year-old Israeli as a player who can run the pick-and-roll and create easy shots for teammates. CBS said he could be in the mix for postseason awards.

The Athletic recently ranked Yaacov 57th in its draft projection and noted that he was “a big fish in a small pond” last season, while also saying he could be selected and then sent to Utah, where he has committed. Most projections have him going late in the second round, or not being drafted at all, though On3 projected him much higher, sending him to the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 37th pick.