The 2026 NBA Draft is almost here, and Miami has a key name to watch when the second round begins. Malik Reneau may not be in the conversation to become a first round pick, but his one season with the Hurricanes gave him enough good tape to make the end of the draft worth watching.
The draft begins June 23 and continues June 24 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Where Malik Reneau ranks ahead of NBA Draft
Reneau is No. 62 on CBS Sports' 2026 NBA Draft prospect rankings, putting him just outside the 60-pick range. NBA Draft.net has Reneau at No. 78 on its big board, Tankathon has him No. 69 on its board and ESPN's final top 100 ranks him No. 86.
Reneau is one of those prospects who could hear his name late if the right team values his college production. He could also slide into the priority undrafted free-agent market if he doesn't hear his name called.
Malik Reneau's last season in college helped his draft stock
The 6-foot-9, 238-pound forward averaged 18.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 54% from the field last season. He was a first-team All-ACC selection and the AP ACC Transfer of the Year after ranking fifth in the conference in scoring and fifth in field goal percentage. He also finished with nine double-doubles, fourth-most in the ACC.
Reneau was strong around the rim, comfortable playing through contact and had high-tier efficiency.
While he was a reliable scoring threat for Miami, Reneau shot 34.7% from 3-point range on just 2.1 attempts per game. His shooting doesn't allow him to stretch the floor at the NBA level just yet, but he is still giving teams something to work with.
Best-case scenario for Malik Reneau
The best-case scenario is a late second-round landing spot in the 50s.
Golden State at No. 54 makes sense as a late-second-round fit. The Warriors have often been comfortable with skilled frontcourt players who can pass, defend and play off the ball.
New York at No. 55 is another good fit in the same range. The Knicks own three picks in the draft, and a player with Reneau's age and college resume can make sense for a team looking for mature role players.
Worst-case scenario for Malik Reneau
The worst-case scenario is Reneau going undrafted, but that could have a positive spin to it.
A priority undrafted deal can still put Reneau in a good situation. He would need the right Summer League roster, a team with a two-way opening and a front office that values his game. For a player in his range, choosing the right path can be better than being drafted with no clear opportunity.
Malik Reneau NBA player comparison
Malik Reneau's NBA player comparison is Trendon Watford. Watford has built a role as a strong, skilled forward who can pass, score inside, rebound and help second units. Reneau has a similar left-handed frontcourt skill set and similar questions around his shooting.
