Donovan Dent looks towards NBA Draft after a strong finish to the season

Donovan Dent was seen as a possible late second round draft pick but most likely an undrafted free agent in the 2026 NBA Draft. But after a late season surge, with a good NBA combine and workout. Dent could find himself back onto NBA radars. As a floor general and a guy that can effectively set up an offense. There are not many traditional point guards that are around basketball anymore. Ones that can make good passes and operate an offense efficiently. Dent showed he can be a guy that can do that.

Dent struggled with his shot all of his senior season after transferring to UCLA. There were some games that he showed glimpses that he could do it. But for the majority of the season, he just didn’t look confident shooting shots. The most effective part of his game was when he would drive downhill. He could use his speed and ability to get to the paint to collapse the defense. Because defenses knew he was an elite passer.

If he can continue to do that and show that during the combine. Teams will see that he has that ability to pass off of driving. Leading to him possibly getting drafted and becoming a project player that under the right system could succeed. Take a team such as the Indiana Pacers. Rick Carlisle is a very great coach and has coached some very good point guards. Dent could benefit watching and learning from Tyrese Halliburton and Andrew Nembhard every day in practice.

It is hard to gauge what type of NBA career Dent would have if he went onto get drafted or make an NBA roster. Being an elite pastor gives him an opportunity to affect the games in that way. We have seen so many UCLA players over the years seem like they wouldn’t be great in the NBA but they have. Just take Peyton Watson for example. He averaged 3.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. But he has become an absolutely great player on offense and defense for the Denver Nuggets.