Wizards Project Nick Boyd at No. 60, Giving Wisconsin Back-to-Back Draft Picks for First Time Since 1987

*TL;DR: Nick Boyd is projected as the No. 60 pick by the Washington Wizards, a selection that would give Wisconsin back‑to‑back NBA draft picks for the first time in nearly four decades.

Context The 2026 NBA Draft lottery has set the stage for a lean early‑entry class of 71 players, the smallest pool since 2003. Fewer underclassmen are staying in college to maximize NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) earnings, tightening the talent pipeline to the pros.

Key Facts - Sam Vecenie’s updated two‑round mock places Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd at the final spot of the second round, No. 60, to the Washington Wizards. - Boyd’s projected selection would be the Badgers’ second consecutive draft pick after John Tonje went No. 53 to the Utah Jazz last year. - The back‑to‑back occurrence mirrors the 1986‑87 stretch when Rick Olson and J.J. Weber were drafted in successive years, ending a 39‑year gap. - Wisconsin has produced only seven draft picks since 2000 and 42 overall, underscoring the rarity of consecutive selections. - The Wizards have drafted two Badgers in five years, adding Boyd to Johnny Davis, who went No. 10 in 2022.

What It Means Boyd’s potential entry at No. 60 signals that Wisconsin’s program is regaining draft relevance after a decade without a first‑round pick. The slim early‑entry class suggests teams will lean more on proven college performers, boosting Boyd’s visibility. For Washington, the pick offers a low‑risk, high‑upside guard who can develop behind veteran point guards.

The Badgers’ ability to place players in the NBA two years running may improve recruiting, as prospects see a clearer path from Madison to the professional ranks. Observers will watch the combine and pre‑draft workouts to confirm whether Boyd’s shooting efficiency—48 % field‑goal, 37 % three‑point, 83 % free‑throw—translates to the next level.

What to watch next The final mock drafts and the NBA Draft Combine will reveal whether Boyd climbs the board or remains at No. 60, and whether the Wizards retain the pick or trade it in a draft‑day maneuver.