North Carolina State University Athletics
Nikola Markovic is the No. 1 Overall Pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft
12/18/2025 3:32:00 PM | Men's Soccer
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Sophomore defender Nikola Markovic for NC State men's soccer has been selected by D.C. United as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday afternoon.
After a two-season stint helping NC State achieve its best two seasons in 30 years, Nikola Markovic signed a Generation Adidas contract, and now has been selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United. He is the highest draft pick in program history, as the previous highest-pick was Clement Simonin to Toronto FC in 2015.
Across the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the Wolfpack, Markovic accumulated 39 starts in his 39 appearances to total 3,411 minutes to average 87 minutes of action per game played. He secured three goals and four assists while playing centerback for the Pack.
A Gatineau, Quebec, native, one of his most notable moments was his golden goal winner over Charlotte in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament in 2024.
While in Raleigh, he accumulated numerous awards and accolades, which include…
2024 ACC All-Freshman Team
2024 Featured on TopDrawerSoccer's Top-100 Postseason Freshman List at No. 27
2024-25 ACC Academic Honor Roll
2025 ACC Defender of the Year
2025 All-South Region First Team
2025 United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American
2025 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist
2025 College Cup All-Tournament Team
2025 All-ACC First Team
As part of the back five, Markovic helped ensure 15 shutouts in 23 total games played this season, the most in the entire NCAA. This included eight consecutive shutouts to start the season, making the most shutouts to start a season in the NCAA since Creighton in 2011.
Quote from Nikola Markovic
"This past year and a half has been the best of my life. The people I've met and cherished, the places I've seen, and all the things I've done will forever have a special place in my heart. I will forever remember this place and its people, who have been incredible to me. I can confidently say that Raleigh has felt like a second home for me and will always feel that way. I would like to say thank you to everyone I've had the chance to be with at NC State, and a special shoutout to the red terrors. They have been indispensable in helping us achieve what we did this past year and a half. I have no doubt that coach Hubbard is going to lead the team to success many times again, and I hope to see the people of Raleigh come together many times more to see and support the Pack accomplish great things. Forever Go Pack!"
@PackMensSoccer || #CarryTheCulture
