By Oliver Thomas, Staff Writer

This past week, former Xavier Men’s Basketball players Dailyn Swain and Ryan Conwell announced that they would be declaring for the 2026 NBA draft.

Swain, a forward from Columbus, Ohio, committed to Xavier in the fall of 2022 as the 103rd ranked high school recruit in the country. In Swain’s first season with the Musketeers, he averaged 4.6 points per game while playing a meaningful role, averaging 19 minutes per game. 

Come his sophomore year, Swain took a major leap, averaging 11.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while also adding 40 pounds to his frame leading up to the season. Swain played a key role defensively for Xavier as well, leading the team in steals and finishing second in total blocks, helping the Musketeers finish fourth in the Big East, and earn an 11-seed in the 2025 NCAA tournament.

With the departure of Head Coach Sean Miller in the following offseason, Swain transferred to Texas, following Miller for his junior season. Swain took another major jump, averaging a team-high 17.7 points per game and 7.3 rebounds, while also improving his 3-point percentage from last season of 25% to 34.5%. His offensive leaps helped him earn SEC Newcomer of the Year honors, as well as second-team SEC recognition. 

Following his career-best season, Swain declared for the 2026 NBA draft. With a 6-foot-8 225-pound frame, Swain has the size and skill to be able to succeed in the NBA, as he is currently projected as a mid to late first-round pick.

“Xavier built me – it was home. Texas elevated me and made it feel like home too,” Swain stated in a post on Instagram. “Wearing a Xavier Uniform taught me how to compete at the highest level. Putting on burnt orange took it even further.”

Unlike Swain, Ryan Conwell, a three-star recruit from Indianapolis, Indiana, did not start his collegiate career with the Musketeers. Conwell played his freshman season at University of South Florida, before transferring to Indiana State for his sophomore season, and then eventually transferring to Xavier going into the 2024-2025 season. 

In Conwell’s one season at Xavier, he averaged 16.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists, earning him third team all-Big East honors. Conwell showed a strong ability as a 3-point shooter, averaging 41.2% on attempts beyond the arc, while also finishing second in the Big East in 3-PT field goals per game. Among all of Conwell’s highlights with Xavier, none were more memorable than his seven made 3-pointers in his 38-point performance against Marquette in the Big East Tournament. 

Following the announcement of Miller’s departure to Texas, Conwell entered the transfer portal, quickly becoming one of the most sought-after players in all of college basketball. Conwell ended up committing to Louisville, where he continued his scoring tear. The former Musketeer earned second team All ACC honors, averaging 18.8 points as he helped lead Louisville to a six-seed in this year’s NCAA tournament.

ESPN’s Jeremy Woo projects Conwell to go 42nd overall in his mock draft, as analysts have noted his strengths as his elite three-point shooting ability as well as his NBA level size. 

Swain and Conwell look to be the first former Xavier players to be drafted since Colby Jones, who was selected 34th overall in 2023.