What Dailyn Swain's NBA Draft Selection Means for Texas Basketball

When Dailyn Swain heard his name called with the 15th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft courtesy of the Chicago Bulls, Texas men's basketball gained its second top-15 selection in as many years. 

Before Sean Miller arrived in Austin, Rodney Terry helped Tre Johnson become the sixth overall pick by the Washington Wizards in 2025, breaking a four-year drought for Longhorn first-rounders. 

Prior to Swain and Johnson, Kai Jones was the most recent first-round choice. 

But now that Miller is leading the program ... Texas fans could begin to see their favorite players be drafted far more frequently than in years past. 

While Johnson came from a completely different era of Longhorns basketball, Swain may be a better indicator of what's to come.

He spent all three of his collegiate seasons under Miller — two at Xavier before following the head coach to his inaugural season at Texas — and quietly grew into one of the most versatile wings in college hoops. 

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Ahead of Miller's second year leading the Longhorns, multiple players appear on his roster who could become the third consecutive Texas product to be taken in the first round. 

NCAA tournament star Matas Vokietaitis may be the man who is most likely to continue the recent trend. 

Vokietaitis is a traditional center who makes his impact around the basket. He uses his size to finish through contact, rebound at a high level and anchor the paint defensively.

While he isn't the most mobile big man or an outside shooting threat, his physical style of play and willingness to embrace his role make him an intriguing long-term frontcourt prospect.

In CBS Sports' 2027 NBA Mock Draft — although quite early, given we're less than two weeks removed from the 2026 Draft — Vokietaitis is projected to be selected 22nd overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Given that the Thunder just selected Michigan's Aday Mara, OKC may not be the best landing spot, but Vokietaitis could still be a first-rounder regardless of which team drafts him. 

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And Miller's track record of nurturing NBA talent is a major reason why.

Swain's selection wasn't just another first-round pick for the program. It strengthened a recruiting pitch the Longhorns can make to every top prospect who walks through the door.

That recruiting pitch could soon be put to the test with Texas native and No. 1 overall prospect Marcus Spears Jr.

Whether Spears ultimately chooses the Longhorns or not, Swain's selection gave Miller something every elite recruiter covets: another first-round pick he can point to as proof his process works.