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2026 NBA Draft Big Board 1.0

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Now that the NBA has returned, College Basketball will soon as well. Considering the circumstances, now’s the perfect time to become familiar with some of the best prospects of the 2026 NBA Draft. This year’s draft is considered another strong draft, with multiple individuals who can be franchise changers for NBA teams.

2026 NBA Draft Big Board 1.0

Let’s dive into the first Big Board of the 2026 NBA Draft.

1) CG Darryn Peterson, Kansas

Standing at 6-foot-5, Kansas combo guard Darryn Peterson is the best guard prospect of the 2026 NBA Draft. Undoubtedly, Peterson has demonstrated a degree of polish, maturity and skill that leapfrogs the vast majority of other prospects in the class. His overall skillset is extremely well-rounded and he can be highly impactful on both ends of the floor.

On the defensive end, Peterson knows how to utilize his physical tools and where he needs to rotate. On the offensive end, he’s a talented passer and playmaker. His abilities as a three-level scorer and shot-creator will certainly draw lofty comparisons to great guards like Oklahoma City Thunder leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. While it’s unfair to compare prospects to star players, whose legacies are set, it speaks to the level that Peterson’s on. Although the ranking of the top three is fluid, Peterson is the first among equals at this point.

2) PF Cameron Boozer, Duke

6-foot-9 Cameron Boozer is going to be the Duke Blue Devils’ next shining star. Boozer is easily one of the two-way players in the class while also possessing a well-rounded skillset. He has the same talent for interior scoring as his father, former NBA star Carlos Boozer. He can knock down shots from beyond the arc. In addition to that, Boozer has shown great court vision and passing instincts as a playmaker.

On the defensive end, his size, strength, and mobility allow him to be a versatile defender. Frankly, he can cover opposing players anywhere on the court. However, while Boozer uses his length well to be a solid defensive playmaker, he’s also a strong rebounder on both ends. With more polish to his shooting and passing, he can be the best player to come out of this draft class.

3) SF AJ Dybantsa, BYU

Rounding out the top-three of this year’s potential draft class is BYU forward AJ Dybantsa. Highly popular, Dybantsa’s is the premier wing prospect of 2026. At 6-foot-9, he’s certainly the most athletic of the top three prospects, which lends itself to both ends of the court.

Dybantsa is an undeniable offensive talent in terms of his driving and midrange scoring ability. His physical tools allow him to get to his spots and rise over opponents to score. Furthermore, Dybantsa is adept at drawing contact and getting to the free-throw line. To be sure, he does need to improve from beyond the arc, but he’s still a threat from that distance. Defensively, he has everything he needs to be elite. Not only is he long and athletic but he has motor to be a versatile, multi-positional defender.

Overall, he’s the prototypical wing prospect that any team would love to build around.

4) F/C Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky

Kentucky forward-center Jayden Quaintance is the first non-freshman on this board. Nevertheless, the 6-foot-10 big man is one of the 2026 NBA Draft’s elite defensive prospects. Indeed, his defensive gifts and offensive potential were highlighted as a freshman at Arizona State. With his combination of length, strength, and athleticism, he can be a big-time rebounder and defensive playmaker. He also impressed as a rim-runner while demonstrating the potential to be something more offensively, using his burgeoning on-ball skills.

Quaintance is definitely still raw offensively. He’s also recovering from a torn ACL that he sustained in mid-March. Nevertheless, it is hard to deny his high-level defense and upside on offense.

5) SF Nate Ament, Tennessee

Tennessee’s incoming freshman, Nate Ament, is another favored forward prospect in this year’s draft. Primarily known as a sweet-shooting 6-foot-9 wing, he can be a three-level scorer at the next level. He’s also has shown himself to be a solid playmaker from the perimeter. Defensively, he’s extremely disruptive as a playmaker and has the versatility to guard a wide range of opponents. He certainly needs to get stronger, as he’s rail-thin, but has great potential to be a two-way wing.

6) CG Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville

Mikel Brown Jr. is a 6-foot-5 guard who committed to Louisville.

As a prospect, Brown is characterized by his high-level 3-point shooting, highlight playmaking, and overall shot-making. He also has an excellent handle that allows him to fully control the pace of the game. As a result, he can get to his preferred spots on the court and knock down shots with ease. With that in mind, he can knock down shots from anywhere on the court and can extend his range well beyond the arc. Brown’s shot-creation isn’t limited to himself, as he can break down defenses to create opportunities for his teammates. He has the passing vision and ability to find open teammates as well as throw impressive passes. Though his finishing and defense still need work, Brown is a talented floor general who can be a great offensive engine.

7) G/F Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor

6-foot-5 Baylor wing Tounde Yessoufou is a freshman prospect who is known for his well-built frame and bully-ball playstyle. In terms of offense, he utilizes his strength to power through contact for the finish and can knock down shots in the midrange. Yessoufou does need to improve his perimeter shot creation and his 3-point shooting. With further improvements, Yessoufou has the potential to be a dynamic two-way wing in the NBA.

Similar to former Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe, who started off his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers with a bang, Yessoufou is an explosive force and he channels that well on the defensive end. Due to his athleticism and strength, he can guard up and down the lineup. Plus, he has the quickness and length to be a switchable defender, highlighting his versatility. Speaking of length, he uses his long arms to be an active defensive playmaker and to be a strong rebounder for his size.

8) F/C Chris Cenac Jr., Houston

Standing at 6-foot-11, Houston hybrid big Chris Cenac Jr. is an athletic freshman prospect who has high upside as a defender and shooter. Cenac certainly has the mobility and athleticism to be a multi-positional defender with his flashes of being able to switch onto the perimeter. Furthermore, he has serious upside as a shot-blocker and rebounder.

As for offense, Cenac is a solid shooter for his position and has a good shooting form. Plus, he’s a good rim-runner and has shown potential in terms of facing up to the basket. He also has nascent guard skills, specifically as a ball-handler and passer. There’s a long way to go for him to reach his ceiling, and Cenac primarily needs to work on his body and offensive game. However, if he puts it all together, Cenac would be an intriguing two-way big in the NBA.

9) Caleb Wilson, UNC, PF

The 6-foot-9 Caleb Wilson is yet another athletic forward who is an excellent defensive prospect with major upside offensively. UNC’s freshman star is most notable as a talented defender who uses his physical gifts to rack up steals, blocks, and rebounds. Not only that, but he can defend multiple positions and be switchable onto the perimeter. His offense is certainly less developed than his defense, but he has major upside as a shooter and ball-handler. He’s particularly adept at driving, both in the halfcourt and in transition.

To be sure, Wilson needs to get into the weight room and put on more muscle. Additionally, he still needs work in terms of his on-ball creation abilities. Regardless, Wilson has the upside to be a truly impactful forward on both ends.

10) Karim Lopez, New Zealand Breakers, PF

New Zealand Breakers forward Karim Lopez is one of the NBL’s top 2026 prospects. The 6-foot-8 Mexico native is a highly-skilled forward who demonstrates versatility on both ends of the floor, especially on offense. He has the ball-handling and physicality to be a strong driver to the basket. He has great instincts as a cutter and off-ball mover. He has also shown improvement as a 3-point shooter, making him much more of a threat out on the court.

Lopez’s physical tools stand out at the defensive end as well. Furthermore, he has shown flashes of being an able weakside rim protector. While he does have serious lapses in terms of his off-ball defense, Lopez does consistently play hard on both ends. Lopez needs to clean up his off-ball awareness and continue to improve his shooting, but he has the makings of being a valuable wing.

11) Bennett Stirtz, Iowa, PG

Iowa senior Bennett Stirtz is a 6-foot-4 guard prospect who transferred to Iowa for this coming season. A highly skilled offensive player, he has an amazing basketball IQ and feel for the game. His previous year at Drake highlighted his strong offensive capabilities and the efficiency to go along with it. To that point, he can efficiently score both on-ball, off-ball and on all three levels. Additionally, his ball-handling and playmaking ability allows him to get great shots for himself and his teammates. While not the most gifted athlete, he consistently plays hard on the defensive end. Specifically, he stays active by being disruptive in the passing lanes.

Stirtz’s overall offensive versatility and high basketball IQ are exactly what teams would want from a point guard.

12) G/F Neoklis Avdalas, Virginia Tech

Standing at 6-foot-9, Virginia Tech wing Neoklis Avdalas is a prospect from Greece with an intriguing skillset for his size. He has the potential to be a jumbo-sized initiator on the offensive end; a point-forward. In particular, he possesses high-level court vision and passing ability, as he is extremely talented as a playmaker. Furthermore, he has a solid combination of ball-handling, footwork, and pace that allows him to be a threat when driving to the basket. Avdalas has demonstrated recognizable upside as a perimeter shooting as well, but still needs to continue to improve in that area.

Defensively, he has great positional size that grants him a level of defensive versatility, but quicker guards can blow him by. Additionally, strength is a concern for him, and on both ends. If everything comes together though, he can be a dynamic wing who can help initiate offense for his team.

13) PF Koa Peat, Arizona

Arizona freshman forward Koa Peat is a 6-foot-9 prospect who excels as an interior scorer. He has the size, athleticism, and strength to be a bully in the paint. Yet, he also has great mobility and fluidity for someone of his size. Paired with his excellent touch around the rim, his physical tools allow him to be a great scorer at the basket. Really, Peat can straight-up finish through contact due to his strength. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s shown that he has a solid handle, making him a threat to drive from the perimeter.

Of course, Peat’s physical gifts also increase his defensive versatility, as he’s a multi-positional defender and defensive playmaker. However, aside from his physical prowess, he’s a good passer who knows how to use his scoring gravity to create shots for his team. The biggest obstacle for Peat is his lack of shooting outside of the paint. He’s shown himself capable of shooting from the midrange but he still needs major improvement.

14) SG Braylon Mullins, UConn

UConn freshman shooting guard Braylon Mullins is one of the top shooters in this year’s class. Standing at 6-foot-6, Mullins has nice length for the position. Perhaps even more importantly, he can knock down 3s in a variety of ways and from well beyond the arc. Not only that, he can put the ball on the floor to attack closeouts and moves well as a cutter off the ball. He even has the athleticism to throw down powerful dunks. As for his passing, Mullins isn’t someone who can be a primary initiator, but he is solid as a connective piece.

In terms of his defense, he plays with a consistent motor, and he has a nose for the ball. Additionally, his size allows him to defend multiple positions and be a presence on the boards. Mullins does need to fill out his frame, but his combination of elite shooting, defense, and high IQ basketball gives him the potential to be an impactful player in the NBA.

15) Labaron Philon, Alabama, PG/SG

6-foot-4 Alabama guard Labaron Philon is another returning player on this board who is up for a big year. As a freshman in 2024-25, Philon proved himself to be a crafty, playmaking guard who is pesky on the defensive end. His basketball IQ and feel are extremely apparent as he has an excellent grasp of controlling the pace of the game using his tight handle and footwork.

Alabama guard Labaron Philon (0) dunks the ball after making a steal from Kentucky guard Otega Oweh (0) at Coleman Coliseum on Feb 22, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Alabama defeated Kentucky 96-83.

As a scorer, Philon has excellent touch around the basket, especially with floaters. He’s also good in the midrange. As a facilitator, he’s shown off both his court vision and passing ability.

Philon needs to add more weight to his frame to compensate for his lack of burst and athleticism. He must also find more consistency in his three-point shot. However, he is a highly talented guard who has the potential to have two-way impact in the league.

16) CG Brayden Burries, Arizona

The second Arizona Wildcats prospect on this board is 6-foot-4 combo guard, Brayden Burries.

The exemplary incoming freshman is a talented three-level scorer. Despite his relatively average height, he uses his physicality to put pressure on the rim. Even when he’s not driving, he can knock down shots in the midrange and from 3. With that being said, his jumper does need to be more consistent. Scoring aside, he has solid court vision and passing ability, especially as a secondary playmaker.

Burries’s strength and physicality also extend to his defense. Specifically, his strength gives him the ability to defend up the lineup.

17) F Thomas Haugh, Florida

2024-25 NCAA champion Thomas Haugh is a 6-foot-9 hybrid forward who’s returning to play for Florida this season. The junior’s athleticism and mobility allow him to be a threat as a rim runner and in transition. Haugh has also shooting upside, especially in the midrange. His jumper still has a ways to go, but it’s encouraging.

Haugh’s physical gifts also translate over to the defensive end. He has the quickness to be able to switch onto the perimeter. In fact, his size and length allow him to guard up and down the lineup. He’s even a force on the glass. The combination of his physical gifts, basketball IQ, and motor makes him an impressive defensive prospect.

Overall, he’s still a work in progress offensively, but an attractive prospect.

18) G/F Isiah Harwell, Houston

6-foot-6 freshman Isiah Harwell is the second Houston Cougars prospect on this board.

A strong-bodied wing, he has the perfect skillset to be a valuable 3-and-D option. To that point, he’s a more-than-capable shooter, both in the midrange and from 3. However, Harwell isn’t a great overall finisher at the rim. Furthermore, he isn’t a great shot-creator or a true playmaker. This is another reason why he slots in the best in an off-ball offensive role —one that takes advantage of his shooting and connective passing.

Defensively, Harwell is versatile, guarding multiple positions. He knows how to utilize his frame to bother opposing players and force turnovers. Plus, that length allows him to be a good rebounder for his size.

19) PF Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan

As he’ll be a sixth-year senior next season, Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg is one of the oldest prospects on this board. He’ll be nearly 24 years old at the time of the 2026 NBA Draft. Nevertheless, he’s an extremely talented player. Standing at 6-foot-9, he’s a well-rounded offensive weapon who can dribble, pass, and shoot. Just as impressively, he plays the game with a high basketball IQ and great motor.

Lendeborg does most of his scoring around the basket, but he has also shown the ability to stretch the floor. Additionally, he has the handling ability to push the pace in transition. As for his passing, he has the court vision to find open teammates and get them the ball.

At the other end, he has the physical tools and basketball IQ to be a high-level defender. He can defend across multiple positions, and he knows where to rotate when defending off-ball. His 7-foot-3 wingspan helps him to be a disruptive defensive playmaker, constantly effecting passing lanes and bothering shot attempts at the rim. Those long arms also help him be a rebounding force on both ends. There are questions about his upside due to his age, but it’s hard to deny the skills that he already has.

Ultimately, Lendeborg has the potential to be an impactful NBA player on Day 1.

20) Dash Daniels, Melbourne United, SG/PG

Melbourne United guard Dash Daniels, who is the younger brother of Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, is another NBL prospect to watch for. At 17 years old, he’s impressed in one of the tougher foreign leagues.

Standing at 6-foot-5, he’s similar to his big brother in the sense that he’s a defensive-minded player. Bearing that in mind, while he does need to put on weight, he’s still an excellent defender on the perimeter overall. He has the versatility to defend both guard positions and even some smaller wings. His athleticism and quickness allow him to stay in front of his man consistently and lock them up. Furthermore, he’s active in the passing lanes.

Though a superb defensive prospect, his offense still has ways to go. To be fair, he’s flashed as a slasher, cutter, and passer. However, he needs to clean up his handle and his jump shooting. With continued improvement, it’ll be no surprise if Daniels climbs higher on big boards, especially with his brother’s reputation.

21) Dame Sarr, Duke, SG/SF

6-foot-8 Italian wing Dame Sarr is the second Duke Blue Devils prospect on this list, and he has all the tools to be a two-way wing.

He has great athleticism and physical tools that make him an impressive slasher to the rim, both in the halfcourt and in transition. Additionally, he has shown some capability as a ball-handler, though he could stand to improve in this area. His biggest question mark is his outside shooting, more in terms of volume than efficiency. In short, Sarr needs to prove that he is a true threat from beyond the arc.

As a defender, Sarr is amazing on the perimeter due to his switchbility and energy.

22) SF Nikolas Khamenia, Duke

6-foot-8 freshman forward Nikolas Khamenia is the third Duke prospect to make the board and he can do a bit of everything. His best skill is his passing ability, as he’s a smart playmaker who has great court vision and feel for the game. He knows exactly where and when to swing the ball, demonstrating an exceptional basketball IQ. He’s also a threat as a shooter, both in the midrange and from 3. While he isn’t the quickest or most athletic player, he runs the floor well in transition.

As a defender, Khamenia’s size and intelligence allow him to be a good team defender. His rotations behind plays are on point, and he consistently plays with a high motor. His lack of athleticism and strength is a major downside, but the skills he already has make him a player who affects winning, hence why he was a five-star recruit. In essence, he’s the type of player who can help be an amazing connective cog on a team.

23) SF Karter Knox, Arkansas

Arkansas sophomore forward Karter Knox is the younger brother of seven-year NBA veteran Kevin Knox, so it shouldn’t be shocking he’s among the more athletic wings in the draft.

Defensively, his physical gifts give him the versatility to be a multi-positional defender. Using that athleticism, Knox is an aggressive slasher who invites contact when going to the rim. He has great touch around the rim, and his vertical pop allows him to play above it. Seriously, Knox throws down thunderous dunks and is a force in transition. Additionally, he is capable of extending his range to the mid-range and from 3.

He can stand to do more in other areas of the game besides scoring. Even in that aspect, Knox can improve as a shooter and ball-handler. However, if he can improve and be more productive, it’ll be difficult to pass up an athlete like him.

24) PG Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn

Despite standing at just 6-foot-1, Auburn sophomore point guard Tahaad Pettiford is a big-time backcourt scorer. Extremely quick, he uses his handle and change of pace to throw off defenders. He’s capable of scoring from all three levels, and his overall athleticism allows him to be a major threat going to the rim. Last but not least, he’s also a solid playmaker, even though he’s more wired to scoring.

For Pettiford, the big issue is his lack of size. This isn’t a superficial concern, as it legitimately has had a major negative impact on his defensive ability. As a result, while he’s an active defender, there will always be a cap on his effectiveness on that end. However, if he can improve his efficiency and playmaking further, it will help offset his defense deficiencies.

25) C Patrick Ngongba II, Duke

Patrick Ngongba II is yet another Duke prospect on this board. He’s not a flashy prospect by any means, but he does all the things a team would want from a big man. The 6-foot-11 sophomore center can defend, rebound, and finish at a high level using his well-built frame. In a game that’s become increasingly fascinated by passing bigs, he can also be a solid facilitator.

Ngongba isn’t going to do much more than that, as he isn’t a shooter nor is he switchable onto the perimeter. Plus, his health and overall upside aren’t the best. Nevertheless, he has all the skills to be a solid big man for any team.

26) PG Cayden Boozer, Duke

The last Duke player on this list is Cayden Boozer, the twin brother of Cam. Boozer.

The 6-foot-4 freshman is as close to a pure point guard as one can find in today’s game, primarily focused on playmaking and defense rather than scoring. An advanced processor, he has excellent court vision and passing skills that allow him to get the ball to open teammates. He’s also a good defender who knows how to rotate and keep his man in front of him. The effort he always plays with is a plus as well.

Offensively, he needs to find a consistent way to score, as he isn’t the best shooter, nor is he amazing as a finisher. He can be a solid slasher to the rim, but he is limited by his lack of vertical athleticism. With that being said, he has a fundamentally sound skill set that can be truly maximized if he refines his scoring ability. Should he do that, he’ll be among the best point guards in the 2026 draft class.

27) Miles Byrd, San Diego State, SG/SF

One of the better defensive prospects in the 2026 draft class is San Diego State wing Miles Byrd, who is returning for his junior year. Standing at 6-foot-7, he has the perfect size, athleticism, length, and motor to be an elite wing defender.

Byrd can defend multiple positions and switch onto the perimeter with ease. He also uses his length to be formidable defensive playmaker, constantly racking up steals and blocks. Furthermore, his motor is always running, and he will consistently look to make his impact felt.

However, his offense is far behind his defense. He isn’t a consistent floor-spacer and can struggle to finish at the rim. While he has shown flashes of shooting and secondary playmaking ability, Byrd is still a ways away from being reliable in those areas. If he can improve at that end, Byrd has a real chance to be a reputable 3-and-D wing.

28) F/C Hannes Steinbach, Washington

A native of Germany, Hannes Steinbach is a combo big who’ll be with the Washington Huskies for his freshman season. He’s not much of a shooter, nor is his playmaking very impressive. Nonetheless, Steinbach has a strong core of interior scoring, rebounding, and defense that makes him a solid big for any team. While playing his fundamental brand of basketball, he’s demonstrated excellent touch around the rim and uses his strength well to carve out space for scoring. In addition to that, he has great body control and a solid handle that allows him to drive from the perimeter.

Defensively, he has the size and strength to keep up with other forwards and smaller bigs. Yet, he may struggle against quicker guards, considering his lack of quickness and burst.

29) CG Anthony Robinson II, Missouri

Missouri junior guard Anthony Robinson II is known for his abilities in the pick-and-roll and on defense.

To start with the less glamorous end, Robinson is a high-level defender for his size. He doesn’t have ideal positional versatility at 6-foot-2, but he’s pesky. He’s constantly generating steals as he is excellent at playing the passing lanes and putting pressure on ball-handlers. He also has the speed and athleticism to fly all around the court while knowing exactly where he needs to rotate to patch up holes in the defense.

Offensively, Robinson is a skilled pick-and-roll operator and a talented scorer inside the arc. He knows how to fully utilize the pick-and-roll to create high-quality shots for himself (or trips to the free-throw line). Though more geared towards scoring, he’s also a solid passer.

The major downside for Robinson is his unimpressive 3-point shooting, specifically in terms of volume. If he can increase his 3-point attempt rate while remaining efficient, as well as become a better playmaker, he can be a high-quality backup point guard in the league.

30) F/C Flory Bidunga, Kansas

6-foot-9 sophomore Flory Bidunga rounds out this 2026 NBA Draft Big Board.

The Kansas big man is a hyper-athletic prospect who can rock the rim and swat shots at a high level. While purely a play-finisher, Bidunga is an excellent lob threat and transition force as his athleticism allows him to demolish the rim. Defensively, his physical gifts also allow him to be a great rim-protector. Additionally, he is a solid rebounder on both ends.

Despite his skills and athleticism, he has clear limitations as a player. Offensively, his jumper isn’t a threat and he can’t be counted on to create his own shot. At the defensive end, he can be undisciplined. Developing in these areas will be important for him to raise his ceiling, but his overall athleticism and energy remain tantalizing.

© Jesse Bruner/Special to The Capital-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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