The Chicago Bulls selected former Texas swingman Dailyn Swain with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the NBA Draft on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Barclays Center.
The 6-foot-8 wing emerged as a first-round prospect after a standout junior season at Texas under head coach Sean Miller, who previously coached him at Xavier.
Swain averaged 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game across 36 games for the Longhorns, earning SEC Newcomer of the Year honors.
Chicago added Swain alongside number four overall pick Caleb Wilson, addressing a significant team need for interior penetration and functional athleticism.
According to Joel Lorenzi for The Athletic, the Bulls struggled heavily to generate pressure at the rim during the previous season.
Swain brings a physical 211-pound frame and a 6-foot-10 wingspan to a young Chicago core that includes Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Noa Essengue.
While praised for his defensive versatility and elite slashing abilities, analysts note his perimeter shooting remains a developmental focus after converting just 29.3 percent of his three-pointers in college.
Family and Journey
For his mother, Constance Addrece, witnessing her son reach the professional ranks capped a challenging basketball journey that began on the east side of Columbus, Ohio, where he chose to remain local at Columbus Africentric Early College.
"It wasn't easy at all," said Addrece. "His journey had lots of ups and downs and twists and turns and potholes.
But he made it. He overcame every hurdle, every obstacle.
And that's what makes the journey even more worth it."
Swain became a two-time Ohio Division III Player of the Year before spending his first two collegiate seasons playing for the Xavier Musketeers.
"The city really loves my kid," said Addrece, discussing his hometown impact. "Africentric helped to make him into the person he is.
I would have it no other way.
I love the city school that he came from, and I hope it inspires other kids and families to put in the hard work and stick to the cause."
Addrece expressed her immense gratitude regarding the milestone her young son achieved on draft night. "So proud," said Addrece.
"The world is a tough place.
And for somebody to be able to accomplish the things that he's accomplished, and at a young age...
that's just beyond proud."
National draft analysts closely evaluated Swain's physical tools and distinct playing style during the live draft broadcast coverage.
"Great versatility," said Jay Bilas, ESPN analyst. "He's got good skills and good athleticism.
But most of his scoring is below the rim. But he can slash, get downhill.
He's very good in transition. And he's tough.
He's a really good cutter, and crashes the glass. The one thing that he needs to improve upon is his 3-point shooting consistency.
… And I think he can improve his lateral quickness. But he's a tough-minded wing that can get to the rim and really move in transition."
Bilas highlighted Swain's productivity in open-court scenarios and his physical approach to driving into the paint.
