When the Miami Heat selected Rwandan-American forward Nate Ament with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, it marked a major milestone for one of basketball's most promising young talents with ties to Rwanda. Beyond the celebrations, Ament's selection also shines a spotlight on a process that shapes the future of the NBA every year: the NBA Draft. ALSO READ: NBA: Rwandan-American Nate Ament drafted by Miami Heat For many sports fans, the draft can seem complicated. How do players become eligible? Why do teams take turns selecting prospects? And why is being drafted considered such a life-changing moment? Here's what you need to know. How does the NBA Draft work? The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the league's 30 teams select eligible players to join their rosters. The draft consists of two rounds, producing a total of 60 selections. Teams choose players based on their needs, long-term plans and assessment of available talent. The order of selection is determined partly by the NBA Draft Lottery, which gives teams with the worst records from the previous season a chance to secure the highest picks. The remaining teams select in reverse order of their regular-season records. The player chosen with the first overall pick is generally regarded as the top prospect in that year's draft class. Why is the NBA Draft such a big deal? The NBA Draft can transform the future of both players and franchises. For players, it represents entry into the world's most prestigious basketball league, along with professional contracts, international recognition and lucrative endorsement opportunities. The financial rewards can be enormous. Top draft picks often sign rookie contracts worth tens of millions of dollars, while even players selected later in the draft can secure deals worth several million. Beyond salaries, being drafted can open the door to sponsorship agreements, brand partnerships and global exposure. For many prospects and their families, draft night can be a life-changing moment. For NBA teams, a successful draft pick can shape a franchise for years. Some of the league's greatest players, including Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Stephen Curry, were all selected through the draft before becoming franchise icons. ALSO READ: NBA Draft pick Nate Ament says 'would entertain' playing for Rwanda Who qualifies for the NBA Draft? To be eligible for the NBA Draft, a player must be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft. He can be at least one year removed from high school graduation. For international players, eligibility rules differ slightly. Generally, players who are at least 22 years old are automatically eligible if they have not already entered the draft. Prospects who meet the requirements can declare for the draft and participate in pre-draft evaluations, workouts and interviews with NBA teams. Players can reach the NBA through several pathways, including American college basketball (NCAA), international professional leagues, NBA Academy programmes, NBA Africa development programmes or alternative pathways such as the NBA G League. Many prospects spend at least one year in college before declaring for the draft, while others come directly from professional leagues outside the United States. Ament followed one of the most common routes. After developing in the United States and emerging as one of the country's top high school prospects, he met the eligibility requirements and declared for the draft. His selection marked the culmination of years of development and placed him among a select group of players entering the NBA each year. Are there exceptions? Yes. Some players become automatically eligible without formally declaring for the draft especially international players who reach the automatic eligibility age, college players who have exhausted their NCAA eligibility or certain professional players who meet NBA requirements. There are also provisions allowing some college athletes to test the draft process and later withdraw before a specified deadline while retaining their college eligibility under certain conditions. Why are draft picks traded? One aspect of the NBA Draft that often confuses fans is the trading of draft picks. Teams can exchange draft selections months—or even years—before the draft takes place. As a result, the team announcing a player's name is not always the team that ultimately acquires him. These transactions allow franchises to move up or down the draft order, accumulate future assets or target specific players. It is one of the reasons draft night is as much about strategy as it is about talent evaluation. Ament's case provides a recent example. Although he was selected by the Miami Heat, his rights were later included in a trade package that sent him to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of the deal for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Why the Draft matters beyond basketball The NBA Draft is far more than a talent-selection event. For many players, it is the realization of a lifelong dream and the beginning of a new chapter. For international prospects from Africa, Europe, Asia and Latin America, hearing their names called on draft night often represents years of sacrifice, dedication and perseverance. It is also a reminder that basketball has become increasingly global, with talent emerging from every corner of the world. That is why, every June, millions of fans, scouts and executives follow the NBA Draft closely as the next generation of stars takes its first step into the league.
