Jack Kayil Declares for 2026 NBA Draft, Leaves Door Open for Gonzaga Return Jack Kayil, the 6-foot-5 German guard currently playing for Alba Berlin in the Basketball Bundesliga, has officially entered his name in the 2026 NBA Draft. The announcement, confirmed by his agents Kevin Bradbury and Milan Nikolic of LIFT Sports Management, came on Friday, April 24, 2026. Kayil’s decision to test the draft waters was not unexpected. He had previously indicated his intentions when committing to Gonzaga University in October 2025, stating on Instagram that he would “keep my options open for the NBA Draft 2026” while joining the Zags for the 2026–27 season. As an international player, Kayil has until 2 p.m. Pacific Time on June 13, 2026, to withdraw from the draft and preserve his college eligibility. This deadline differs from that of U.S. College players, who have until May 27 to remove their names. The distinction allows international prospects like Kayil additional time to evaluate feedback from NBA teams and potential draft combine invitations. The timing of his declaration aligns with the end of Alba Berlin’s Bundesliga regular season on May 10, 2026. Should he receive an invitation, Kayil could attend the NBA Draft Combine, scheduled for May 10–17, 2026, in Chicago. During the 2025–26 season with Alba Berlin, Kayil averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game across 27 Bundesliga appearances. He shot 39.5% from the field, 34.1% from three-point range, and 75.5% from the free-throw line. While Kayil is regarded as one of the top international prospects headed to U.S. College basketball next season, he has not consistently appeared in the first or second rounds of recent NBA mock drafts. This projection could increase the likelihood of him returning to Gonzaga for the 2026–27 season under head coach Mark Few. Kayil’s move reflects a growing trend of international players using the NBA draft process to gauge professional readiness while maintaining the option to develop further in college basketball. His final decision will depend on evaluations from NBA teams, combine performance, and personal assessment of his long-term development path.
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