2026 Miami Heat Mock Draft Roundup: Dec. 11 – Hot Hot Hoops

While we are approaching the two-month mark for the 2025-26 NBA Season, we have just passed the one-month mark for the men’s college basketball season!

It’s never too early to start discussing this year’s crop of NBA Draft prospects! While it’s still too early to tell which players declare versus stay in school for at least one more year, who do a few pundits have the Miami Heat selecting as we approach mid-December?!

Here’s the first rendition of our Miami Heat mock draft roundup for the 2026 NBA Draft!

ESPN (Jeremy Woo): Kingston Flemings, G, Houston (No. 19 overall)

“Although he entered college with less fanfare than some of his classmates, Flemings has been one of the best freshmen out of the gate, playing a key role for No. 1-ranked Houston and showcasing NBA-caliber speed, vision and explosiveness. He aced his first major test, spurring the Cougars to a win against a tough Auburn defense on Sunday with 22 points. He has been exceptionally efficient in this small sample, making 79% of two-point attempts through four games, and puts a lot of pressure on defenses with his pace downhill despite being slender. He should continue to emerge as the season goes on while sharing a backcourt with Milos Uzan.”

No Ceilings (Nathan Grubel): Neoklis Avdalas, G/F, Virginia Tech (No. 19)

“The current Miami Heat front office and coaching staff have gotten creative with their offensive scheme to maximize the dribble, pass, and shoot talent on the roster. Neoklis Avdalas has the skill set to function well with this current Heat team, as a 6’9” playmaking wing who can get his own shot in the mid-range. He’s struggled with consistency from an efficiency standpoint, but has generally played low-mistake basketball while also taking on a lead role with Virginia Tech. Avdalas may not be a primary “engine” for an offense, but he’s the exact type of talent that would thrive in a secondary or tertiary role within a creative system like Miami.”

CBS Sports (Kyle Boone): JT Toppin, F, Texas Tech (No. 23)

“This is the third year now I’ve been higher on Toppin than most. I assume you are used to it by now. He’s built off a Big 12 Player of the Year campaign and so far putting up even more gaudy stats. He’d be an awesome 4-man next to Bam Adebayo.”

The Athletic (Sam Vecenie): Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand (No. 22)

“Lopez’s offensive game has been impressive in Australia this year, as he’s been a perfect complementary starter for the Breakers. He’s averaging 10.3 points, six rebounds and two assists while shooting 49 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3 and 76 percent from the line. He’s also added attacking closeouts with some vertical pop and has been pretty good out in transition. The numbers don’t look all that far out of line with some of the better prospects the NBL has seen.”

SB Nation (Ricky O’Donnell): Dame Sarr, F, Duke

“It’s wild to think this Duke team could have Cedric Coward right now if NBA evaluators didn’t fall in love with him during the 2025 workout cycle. Duke tabbed Sarr to come over from Barcelona to be Coward’s replacement, and he’s already showing signs that he could be a potential lottery pick himself in 2026. Sarr has great dimensions for an NBA wing at nearly 6’8 with a 7-foot wingspan and impressive mobility and bounce around the rim. He’s shown flashes as a shooter and ball handler, but will need to prove himself in both areas this season. Sarr’s defense both on and off the ball will likely be his calling card early in his career, and he should be factor in transition, too.

“The demand for wings around the league should give Sarr a long leash to prove himself, and there’s certainly enough potential here with his defense, spot-up shooting, and close-out attacking to warrant first-round, one-and-done consideration.”

Sports Illustrated (Derek Parker): Darius Acuff, G, Arkansas

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Which names are you eyeing one month into the 2025-26 college basketball season?! Let us know in the comments!

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