Texas Prospects to Watch as Spears Targets 2028 Draft

Texas has five players drawing NBA attention ahead of the 2026-27 season: freshman forward Marcus Spears Jr., guard Austin Goosby, transfer guard Isaiah Johnson, junior David Punch and sophomore Matas Vokietaitis. Spears, once ranked among the three leading prospects in the 2027 prep class before reclassifying, is now ranked No. 8 in the 2026 class.

At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, Spears can run the floor, finish near the basket and show developing post and midrange skills. His three-point shooting and strength are areas to monitor. He cannot enter the 2027 NBA Draft because players must turn 19 during the draft calendar year; he can first enter the 2028 draft. Texas coach Sean Miller said it was too early to know whether Spears would start, though he is expected to be part of the rotation.

Goosby, a 6-foot-5 five-star recruit, is projected as a possible late first-round pick in 2027. His quick decisions and passing stand out, while consistent outside shooting and stronger on-ball defense are among the areas to watch. Johnson arrives after averaging 16.9 points and three assists per game at Colorado, where he shot 37.8% from three.

Punch averaged 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks at TCU. His defense and versatility are strengths; improving his three-point shooting could raise his NBA prospects. Vokietaitis averaged 15.6 points and 7.1 rebounds for Texas last season, finishing 66.8% of his shots at the rim. His mobility, rim protection and fouling are among the questions for the season.