Britain's Tobi Lawal joined the Dallas Mavericks as the 48th overall pick in Wednesday's NBA Draft, marking a remarkable journey for the 23-year-old forward who only started playing basketball at 16. Lawal spent time at the City of London Academy before moving to Maine for high school, then played college ball at VCU and Virginia Tech. He plans to 'live in the gym' to prove himself as a second-round project player.

The Washington Wizards selected former BYU star AJ Dybantsa first overall after finishing with a 17-65 record last season. The 6ft 9in forward joins Trae Young and Anthony Davis in Washington's rebuild. Utah chose Darryn Peterson second, while Memphis selected Duke's Cam Boozer third, making Karim Lopez the first Mexican-born first-round pick at 21st overall.

Dallas sees potential in Lawal despite his late start in the sport. The Mavericks believe his athleticism and work ethic can develop into meaningful NBA contributions. Lawal becomes the latest international prospect to chase the American dream, joining a growing list of European players making their mark.

Meanwhile, Miami's anticipated acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo has shifted championship odds significantly, making them legitimate contenders for 2027. Charlotte and Minnesota completed a blockbuster trade sending LaMelo Ball to the Timberwolves, addressing Anthony Edwards' concerns about building a championship roster around him.