2026 NBA Draft: Blake Buchanan Scouting Report

Throughout the 2025-26 season, Babcock Hoops will provide comprehensive scouting reports on top 2026 NBA Draft prospects, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and potential at the next level. Our reports offer an in-depth look at each player's development and draft outlook.

Blake Buchanan

Position: Forward/Center

College: Iowa State

Class: Junior

Height/Weight: 6'10", 235 lbs

Birthdate: January 20, 2004

Previous College: Virginia

High School: Lake City (ID)

Player Overview

Blake Buchanan is a high-motor big man with a knack for doing the little things that impact winning. At 6’10” with a lean but athletic frame, he plays with energy on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he excels as a screener, rim runner, and finisher at the rim, while also flashing advanced passing and playmaking instincts for a big man. He thrives in pick-and-roll action, crashing the boards, and converting second-chance opportunities.

Defensively, Buchanan relies on positioning, awareness, and effort while also being able to cover significant space due to good feet and mobility. He rotates well, contests shots effectively, and communicates clearly, demonstrating a high level of basketball IQ. While not a dominant rim protector, his defensive activity and rebounding presence give him a steady impact.

Stronger opponents can displace him inside, highlighting the need for added physical strength. Also, with Virginia’s offense limiting his opportunities last season, it remains to be seen how much his offensive role and production can expand.

Strengths

• High Motor & Hustle: Consistently active, battling on the glass and making effort plays.

• Screening & Off-Ball Impact: Sets well-timed screens that open looks for teammates.

• Rebounding Presence: Works for position, grabs offensive boards, and creates second chances.

• Passing & Playmaking: Flashes good vision for a big man, potential to make reads out of short rolls and find teammates from the high post.

• Defensive IQ & Rotations: Understands positioning, moves his feet well, reacts in help situations, and contests shots effectively.

  
  

Concerns

• Strength Development: Needs to continue adding strength to maximize his interior presence and hold ground against NBA-level physicality.

• Offensive Expansion: While he flashes passing instincts, he hasn’t consistently shown the ability to create for himself or stretch the floor with shooting.

• Free Throw Consistency: Inconsistent free-throw shooter whose mechanics and touch remain areas for improvement.

  
  

Questions

• Can he expand his offensive skill set beyond being a rim runner and finisher?

• Will added strength allow him to hold his ground more consistently against physical bigs?

• Is there more untapped offensive upside within his game?

• Can he improve as a shooter to add floor spacing value and more consistency at the free-throw line?

  
  

Bottom Line

Blake Buchanan is a high-energy frontcourt player whose value lies in his effort, screening, rebounding, and defensive impact. While not flashy, he embodies the traits of a winning player. If he can continue to expand his offensive game and hold up against stronger opponents, he has the chance to be more than just a high-level college glue guy and establish himself as a legitimate NBA prospect.