Fletcher Loyer’s Rising 2026 NBA Draft Status

Loyer started the first game of his freshman year, and he has been a starter in every one of the next 110 games he has played as a Boilermaker. In that debut, an 84-53 drubbing of Milwaukee, he led Purdue in scoring with 17 points, which included the first five three-point baskets of his career.

From that moment on, the trio of rookies and Player of the Year Zach Edey ran roughshod over the bulk of their 2022-23 schedule. That season culminated with a Big Ten tournament championship and a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament, and Loyer was named honorable mention all-conference.

One week later, it all came crashing down with a historic loss in the first round to 16-seed Farleigh Dickinson.

Despite the disappointing finish to their season, Purdue was undeterred the following year. With most everyone coming back for the 2023-24 season, the Boilermakers put the FDU game behind them and made school history with their efforts.

Purdue earned their third-ever trip to the Final Four and advanced all the way to the national championship game, ultimately losing to UConn, 75-60.

Loyer backed up his debut season with a solid sophomore year by earning another spot on the honorable mention all-conference list. He started all 39 games and averaged 10.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 44.4% from 3-point range and 86.1% from the free-throw line. 

His steady development into one of the nation’s best shooters continued last season (2024-25) as a junior. He shot 44.4% (75-of-169) from long distance to lead the Big Ten and rank 11th nationally in 3-point percentage. He made 46.5% of all attempts from the field and 84.8% from the free-throw line.

That type of marksmanship has caught the attention of NBA scouts and draft experts. According to NBA Draft Room, “Loyer is a special outside shooter with a picture-perfect jumper, deep range and a quick release.”

What has drawn the notice of those at the next level is Loyer’s play thus far as a senior. Playing alongside Smith and Kaufman-Renn, he has filled the stat sheets for the 10-1 Boilers. He poured in a career-high 30 points, including seven shots from distance, in the season opener against Evansville.

He is currently averaging 14.1 points per game and shooting an incredible 46.4% from three-point land. His 91.7% from the free-throw line ranks him in the top 25 nationally.

This steady growth in his game and production has created a buzz around Loyer regarding next summer’s NBA draft.

What Experts Are Saying About Loyer’s Game

Most publications that forecast the NBA draft status of college prospects currently list Loyer as an option for teams seeking a shooter.

Last Word on Sports said after the Boilermakers took down the Baha Mar Championship in November that he is “a potential second-round pick in 2026 due to his shooting ability.” 247sports also tabbed him as a solid second-round selection.

Those who have been around him for his entire collegiate career know him best, and they feel Loyer is among the nation’s best.

Loyer’s lethal accuracy, according to Smith, has immensely helped Purdue become the national power it is.

“I always try to do that because as a smart basketball player, you find your best shooters,” he said. “When you have the best shooter in the country on your team, I think it is pretty self-explanatory to go find him wherever he’s at, whether he’s hitting shots or whether he’s not.”

Purdue head coach Matt Painter has been at the helm for 21 years and has seen his share of superstars who have helped him win over 500 games. He believes Loyer’s basketball IQ is off the charts, which makes him stand out on the court.

“He understands the purpose of what we’re doing on both ends,” he said. “That’s what a good player does. A good player understands purpose to why things work. Other guys are just talented and they’re hooping and they’re playing. He understands things.”

The chemistry that has kept the core of the Boilermakers together, along with the culture of accountability introduced by Painter, has made Loyer the player he is today. Not only that, his upside is still trending upward.

End Of My Loyer Rant: His Maturity And Experience Make Him Worth A Shot In The Pros

His senior season is just one-third complete, but Loyer’s and Purdue’s future will be determined based on his remaining games as a Boiler. He and his mates came back for their fourth year for one reason: to cut down the nets in Indianapolis at the Final Four. If they can make a deep run in March and April, he will get the coverage and notice of those who make the decisions for professional teams.

One of the intangibles he possesses is his ability to lead based on his extended time at Purdue. Painter has entrusted his veterans to take over the reins of the Boilers, and that has Loyer brimming with confidence in his chances this season.

“It gives me confidence, especially to talk to the other guys,” Loyer said in February. “When you’re asked to be a leader and you’re asked to help your team win games, trust goes a long way. I’ve got to trust them, they have to trust me.”

NBA teams do their due diligence before making a major economic and emotional investment in a collegiate player. Being a 22-year-old senior who will finish with well over 140 games started at a national power should mean something. It shows he is a man who has gone through the wars of the Big 10 and NCAA tournaments multiple times, and he is not an immature teenager trying to enter the league after one or two years in school.

Loyer definitely has the chance to make his exceptional collegiate career into his first occupation after graduation. Is he a finished product ready to endure the rigors of an 82-game NBA season? That is debatable. He needs to keep developing his strength and work on being a lockdown defender, but those teams in need of a bucket should look at Loyer in June.