Emmanuel Sharp was selected 45th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft by Sacramento, and the main question now is whether he can earn a guaranteed contract in the league. The pick, made overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, drew positive reviews from U.S. analysts and coaches.
One opposing college coach told ESPN that there is no reason Sharp cannot follow the path of Jared McCain. The coach said Sharp offers defensive ability McCain did not have when he left college, called him a very good shooter, and added that throughout his career he has shown he is not afraid of big moments. McCain was taken 16th in the 2024 draft by Philadelphia and later moved to Oklahoma City, where he became an important part of the Thunder’s playoff rotation with averages of 13.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
Athletic writer John Hollinger, formerly in Memphis’ front office, said the Kings may have finally made a smart move. He described Sharp as a 3-and-D guard who shoots threes without hesitation and defends opposing guards and forwards despite being relatively small. Hollinger said he fits a roster that needs exactly those skills, though he wondered whether Sharp can play right away.
Hollinger’s colleague Sam Vecenie was more cautious about Sharp’s draft value. He praised the toughness of players developed at Houston and said Sharp fits that mold, noting that he made the Big 12 All-Defense team, fights through screens, and can shoot at a high level with a quick release and good preparation. Still, Vecenie said he could not grade Sharp as a first-round talent because of his size and limited upside beyond shooting, though he would have been happy to take him in the second round. Sharp, 22, averaged 15.5 points, 3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in his fourth and final season at Houston, shooting 37.2 percent from three-point range, and worked out for 13 teams before the draft.
