The 2026 NBA Draft features top prospects like Peterson, Dybansta, and Boozer, with late risers like Darius Acuff Jr. and Keaton Wagler. Despite injuries, Caleb Wilson remains a contender for a top-5 pick.
Key points
Top prospects include Peterson, Dybansta, and Boozer
Darius Acuff Jr. and Keaton Wagler have seen late-season surges
Caleb Wilson remains a top-5 candidate despite injuries
NIL era benefits veteran players like Yaxel Lendenborg
2026 draft could rival the legendary 2003 draft class
We all know the names at the top of NBA GMs' big boards. Peterson. Dybansta. Boozer. Late-season surges by Darius Acuff Jr. and Keaton Wagler boosted their stock. Caleb Wilson suffered multiple injuries, ending his season early, but he remains in the mix to be a top-5 pick.
It isn't just the top talents that make the 2026 NBA Draft strong. The NIL era has allowed more veteran players like Yaxel Lendenborg and Bennett Stirtz the chance to develop their skills and shine on a big stage - a stage hardly anyone expected them to be on when they were underrecruited coming out of high school.
The 2003 NBA Draft is widely regarded as the best draft of this century, with LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade hearing their names called on the way to Hall of Fame pro careers. It isn't hyperbole to say that this draft has a chance to challenge 2003 as the best class in more than 20 years.
Q&A
Who are the top prospects for the 2026 NBA Draft?
Top prospects include Peterson, Dybansta, and Boozer, with notable mentions like Darius Acuff Jr. and Keaton Wagler.
How has the NIL era impacted the 2026 NBA Draft prospects?
The NIL era has allowed veteran players like Yaxel Lendenborg and Bennett Stirtz to develop their skills and gain visibility.
What injuries have affected Caleb Wilson's draft stock?
Caleb Wilson suffered multiple injuries that ended his season early, but he is still considered a top-5 pick candidate.
How does the 2026 NBA Draft compare to the 2003 draft class?
The 2026 NBA Draft has the potential to rival the 2003 draft, which is regarded as the best of the century.
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1. Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Age: 18
Position: G/F
Height: 6-6
Peterson's freshman season at Kansas was inconsistent and felt more like a soap opera than basketball at times. His availability was often in question, in part because of serious cramping issues, which he is finally opening up about now that he is out of the college basketball fishbowl.
In terms of talent, he can be Kawhi Leonard. In terms of health and actually being on the court, he can also be Kawhi Leonard. At a long 6-6, his shot creation and ability to be a very capable NBA defender is tough to deny. He also has a very high basketball IQ, and a good sense of when to take over games, like he did against BYU and AJ Dybansta on January 31 in Lawrence. Perhaps it was fitting that he sat the final 16 minutes of that game, after dropping an impressive 18 points in 20 minutes.
2. AJ Dybansta, BYU
Age:19
Position: F
Height: 6-9
Dybansta always plays hard, which is one reason many experts have him going ahead of Peterson. He can create shots for himself and others, gets to the foul line at will and projects as a top-level NBA defender.
The biggest question is his shooting, which, statistically, is solid, but may not translate to the NBA game right away. He lived in the mid-range during his lone season at BYU, but shot just 33 percent from 3-point range. His play down the stretch for the Cougars was beyond impressive, and there is no doubt he has the ability to turn a franchise around.
3. Caleb Wilson, North Carolina
Age: 19
Position: F
Height: 6-10
Wilson suffered multiple injuries during his lone season in Chapel Hill, causing him to miss the NCAA Tournament and several marquee ACC games down the stretch. However, when he was on the floor, he flashed the talent that made him a 5-star recruit.
At 6-9, he's still a bit raw offensively, but the starter kit is impressive. He has a high ceiling if he can work on his shot and his handle. Defensively, he could make an immediate impact, projecting as a player who can defend multiple positions. NBA GMs covet young players who want to work, and Wilson certainly fits that bill.
Boozer was physically dominant for much of his freshman season at Duke, finishing the season with a super impressive, and super efficient statline. The 22.5 ppg and 10.2 rpg are solid, but it's his 4.1 assists per game that offer a true glimpse to his potential impact at the NBA level.
Always under control, Boozer is the rare four-man who can create shots for others. He isn't a great athlete and his ceiling probably isn't as high as many players in this loaded draft, but he can be an All-Star if he lands with the right franchise.
5. Kingston Flemings, Houston
Age: 19
Position: G
Height: 6-4
Kelvin Sampson was able to keep Flemings in the state of Texas coming out of high school, and immediately gave him playing time because of his toughness. Despite being slight of frame, Flemings was a defensive stopper as a freshman and one of the fastest players in all of college basketball.
His biggest weakness is his shooting, which will need to improve if he wants to be a true lead guard at the NBA level. One of the highest-ceiling players in the draft, Flemings has a great chance to sneak into the top 5.
Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
6. Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
Age: 19
Position: G
Height: 6-3
Acuff has the keys to the Arkansas Razorbacks from Day 1, and ended up putting together one of the best seasons for any guard John Calipari has ever coached. He has the speed of John Wall, and the shot creation of Jamal Murray. Offensively, he does almost everything well, include taking care of the ball and finding teammates.
Defensively is where Acuff really struggled, and opponents started to target him in the postseason as a result, especially Vanderbilt in the SEC Championship game and Arizona in the Sweet 16. If he can just be decent on defense, he has a chance to be an All-Star player on a winning team.
NBA teams have gone away from big guards at least a bit in recent years, which is only part of what makes Wagler a fascinating prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft. He plays the game a step ahead of others with a high basketball IQ, and shot almost 40 percent from 3 on a high volume of attempts at Illinois as a freshman. He isn't super quick or fast, and needs to get a lot stronger to be an effective NBA player. Remarkably, at 6-6, he didn't record a single dunk in 37 games last season.
For some teams, taking Wagler and letting him sit for much of his rookie year could be a problem, especially with tanking for 2027 being a dicey strategy. But for other NBA teams, a year spent coming off the bench with an eye towards the future might just make perfect sense.
8. Chris Cenac Jr., Houston
Age: 19
Position: F
Height: 6-10
Cenac has so many tools in his game, which NBA teams are likely to love despite his inconsistent production at Houston. His movement skills at 6-10 are impressive, and he showed scouts flashes in every game this season. The quickness. The length. The "want-to" with his effort.
His biggest immediate contribution will be rebounding and defense, but the offense will come as he adds strength and fixes what is a funky looking release on his jump shot.
When it looks good with Ament, it looks *good.*He's smooth, has a high release and moves very well at 6-10. Projecting as the prototypical small forward at the NBA level, he has an impressive skill level on the offensive end.
Ament had a number of massive games for Tennessee in SEC play, dropping 29 on Kentucky at Rupp Arena and scoring 27 against Auburn. Statistically, he was fairly consistent, but in reality he probably could have done even more as a freshman. If he learns to play with more force, the Virginia native could become a very good pro.
10. Karim Lopez, New Zealand Breakers
Age: 19
Position: F
Height: 6-9
Lopez will be the highest Mexican-born player ever drafted into the NBA after playing his second season as a pro in the NBL. At 6-9, he's already fairly strong physically with a game that resembles Cameron Boozer. As with Boozer, his ceiling might not be super high, but he projects as a very well-rounded NBA player
Interestingly, his defensive numbers in Australia turned heads despite being just 18 years old competing against seasoned pros.
Lendeborg was impressive in the NCAA Tournament, leading Michigan to its first title since 1989. Another lightly-recruited player to work his way up draft boards in the NIL era, he took over additional ball-handling duties for the Wolverines after backup point guard L.J. Cason was injured.
At 6-9, he was good at pretty much everything as a college player. The question is what his true NBA skill will be, as he won't be able to physically dominate smaller wings like he did at UAB and Michigan. He will be a 24-year-old rookie, which might give teams pause.
Burries played a rugged style as a freshman, which made him a good defender and a player not afraid to drive to the basket. His shooting needs work, and he hasn't shown he can be a pure point guard.
There is still upside, and he doesn't have much bust potential, so he should be a mid-first-round pick at worst.
Philon is a quintessential certified bucket getter who enjoyed a lot of freedom in the Nate Oats system at Alabama. He certainly benefited from bypassing the draft last year, improving 3-point numbers dramatically and also playing with much more consistency.
He isn't a top-notch athlete and lacks impressive physical strength, but should be able to get buckets at the NBA level as well. His effort in the February 18 matchup against Darius Acuff Jr. turned heads among pro scouts, as Philon finished with 35 points, seven assists and just two turnovers in a 117-115 win.
14. Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville
Age: 20
Position: G
Height 6-5
Brown might be a taller version of Donovan Mitchell, another Louisville product. Or, he could just be another player who never lived up to his potential.
His lone season at Louisville had considerable drama, with a back injury ending his season early. His production was widely up-and-down, and he shot just 34 percent from 3-point range. Combine questionable shot selection and availability concerns and his stock drops considerably on the big board.
When he is right, he is a top 5 player in this class, with tremendous quickness, explosiveness and creativity. NBA teams will want to know which version of Brown they are drafting.
15. Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
Age: 22
Position: G
Height: 6-4
Stirtz helped himself with a strong showing in the NCAA Tournament, capping off a remarkable story from unwanted D-II recruit to NBA first-round draft pick. He's one of the most creative players in the entire draft, and NBA teams are eager to see him play in a more uptempo system where he won't be the primary focus of opposing defenses.
If he lands with the right team, he could be a top bench player or even a starter for years to come.
