2026 NBA Mock Drafts

Dybantsa is a consensus top three prospect in the draft and a legitimate candidate to be the first overall pick in June’s draft. He’s a jumbo wing with terrific positional size, a 7-foot wingspan, good athleticism and extreme court coverage. He’s also a proven scorer with a long history of putting up big numbers at virtually all spots.

• Played prep school varsity as an 8th grader and was Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year as a 9th grader.
• Reclassified in October 2023 and immediately became the top ranked prospect in the Class of 2025.
• Three-time gold medalist with USA Basketball, including this summer’s FIBA U19 World Cup, where he was named MVP.

• Elite physical tools with his size, length, athleticism, effortless mobility and elastic body type.
• Polished shot creator who can rise-up into his pull-up on demand, has advanced footwork, can operate in the mid-post, attack the paint, draw fouls and make some explosive plays in the open floor.
• Vastly improved decision-making, ability to read the floor as a passer and willingness to play through contact at the rim as a finisher.

• Inconsistent shooter who tends to have a flatter ball, both from the free-throw line and three and is more comfortable shooting off the dribble than the catch.
• Real defensive upside with the way he can cover the court, move his feet and utilize his length, but defensive commitment can be inconsistent, as can his body language.
• Has had virtually unlimited volume and freedom to this point, at every stop, so it remains to be seen how he will adapt to a more balanced system.

Peterson is the most dynamic guard in this draft class and potentially one of the best on-ball creators we’ve seen in the backcourt in several draft classes. He came into the 2025-26 college season as a consensus top-three prospect after averaging 30.4 points, 7.4 assists, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals as a high school senior at Prolific Prep. While the narratives around his freshman season at Kansas have centered around his time missed, he’s continued his pattern of making clear gains with each passing year, despite rarely playing with the full explosiveness that we saw in high school.

• No. 1 prospect in the national 2025 recruiting class.
• Co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game.
• Naismith High School Player of the Year.

• Dynamic creator with an overlap of positional size, length, strength and playmaking ability.
• Can score and make plays at all three levels with his handle, pull-up shooting, physicality as a driver, mid-post game, pick-and-roll navigation, knack for drawing fouls and ability to create for others.
• Drastically improved shot-making and ability to make tough shots, off both the catch and the dribble.

• Availability and durability are the two biggest concerns given the amount of time he’s missed and also been noticeably less than 100% this year at Kansas.
• High-usage player who rarely showed the same playmaking for others, or even on-ball initiating, as frequently as he did in high school.
• Can be a little bit of a ball-stopper in the halfcourt.

Boozer was a top three prospect throughout the entirety of his high school career and had arguably the most successful career in modern high school basketball history, winning every major championship he competed in, including two gold medals. His impact on winning has continued at Duke as he’s established himself as arguably the best player in college basketball this season. Long-term, he may have the highest floor in the class.

• Led Columbus High School to four Florida state championships and the Geico Nationals championship as a senior.
• Led Nightrydas to three consecutive Nike EYB championships, including the Peach Jam title in 2024.
• Co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game.

• Consummate winner with strong body, versatile floor game, mature approach and intellect for the game.
• Magnetic hands, high-volume rebounder and advanced passer (particularly with trademark long outlets).
• Inside-out scoring tools within offense, including notably improved perimeter shooter and underrated defensive versatility as well.

• Not a dynamic shot-creator or isolation player.
• Positional size and vertical athleticism are both adequate, but not elite.
• Lower release point, both on set-shot 3-pointers and even inside the lane.

Wilson is a wiry-built and athletic forward with good size and mobility. He came into North Carolina with extremely versatile defensive tools and having made gradual, but consistent, offensive strides. He exceeded all expectations on that end of the floor though and elevated his draft status in the process.

• Was the No. 8 ranked prospect in the national class of 2025.
• Was ranked inside the top-ten prospects in his class throughout his high school career.
• Won a Georgia state championship as a senior at Holy Innocents Episcopal School and the EYBL championship with Nightrydas.

• High-level athlete who is bouncy, effortlessly mobile, flexible and has an elastic body type.
• Scores with athleticism around the rim and soft mid-range touch. Explosive in transition, good offensive rebounder, can make short drives, pass and even start the break. Also has an advanced left hand.
• Physical tools to be a playmaking defender who can guard multiple positions and erase mistakes with his court coverage, shot-blocking and high activity level.

• Inconsistent outside shooter and floor-spacer who can settle for lower percentage tough twos in the mid-range area.
• Was not viewed as an offensive alpha or primary creator in high school, so remains to be seen how much of his recent offensive growth is translatable.
• Can have defensive lapses away from the basket when he’s on the weakside of the floor and in rotations.

Wagler was an unheralded recruit who was initially viewed as a redshirt candidate. He exceeded expectations at Illinois right away in summer workouts and has continued to ascend throughout the season, establishing himself as one of college basketball’s best freshmen.

• Late-bloomer who was reportedly 5-foot-8 as a high school freshman.
• Won back-to-back state championships at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Kansas.
• Gatorade Player of the Year in Kansas, but was only ranked by one national media outlet (247Sports).

• Overlap of positional size, skill and basketball IQ.
• Natural shooter with versatility to make shots off the catch, dribble, or on the move.
• Has terrific basketball instincts, feel for the game and a very deliberate pace that prevents opposing defenders from speeding him up.

• Lacks ideal quickness, length, or athleticism.
• Can be a defensive liability if he’s pulled too far away from the basket or his help.
• Can struggle to finish in traffic at times.

Acuff was as dynamic as any lead guard in high school basketball last year, showing a real ability to put his team on his back and drive to win. He finished as a top-five recruit and No. 1 overall point guard in the national class. At Arkansas, he has lived up to that billing and been as impactful as any freshman guard in the country.

• 2025 EYBL Scholastic Player of the Year
• Named McDonald’s All-American, Jordan Brand Classic, Nike Hoop Summit, & MVP of Iverson Classic.
• MVP of the 2024 AmeriCup where he led Team USA to a gold medal.

• Shot-creator and multi-level scoring threat with especially good pull-up game.
• Plays with extreme confidence which drives his ability to deliver in big games and moments.
• Strength, balance and poise to dictate his own pace and avoid getting sped-up.

• Inconsistent defensive commitment and approach.
• Is his role as a high-volume shot creator translatable to today’s NBA?
• Size, length and athleticism are adequate for NBA standards, but not exemplary.

Flemings was a consensus top-25 recruit coming out of Brennan High School in San Antonio, but he exceeded virtually all expectations right away at Houston. While he was known for his playmaking and athleticism, he was even more effective from day one as a creator. Simultaneously, his shooting, which was perceived as a major vulnerability in high school, was vastly better than expected (52% 3pt through 10 games).

• Consensus top-25 recruit coming out of high school.
• Was not initially expected to be on a one-and-done track upon his arrival at Houston.

• Dynamic athlete with end-to-end speed, burst in his first-step, physical strength and leaping ability. Puts constant pressure on the paint, attacks both sides off the dribble and rises up for big finishes.
• Consistent mid-range pull-up threat with high release who has also made great strides with his passing reads off the dribble.
• Competitive on ball defender who fights to stay in plays, is willing to be physical with his upper body and has a solid steal rate.

• Has solid positional size, but lacks great length.
• His 3-point shot is still very streaky with questionable mechanics.
• Can struggle with screen navigation on the defensive end of the floor.

Brown is a highly skilled lead guard. He is a late-bloomer who has grown almost eight inches since he was a high school underclassman and is now starting to show athletic gains as well. He was a nationally ranked prospect throughout his high school years and finished No. 6 in the Class of 2025.

• Consensus five-star national prospect & McDonald’s All-American.
• 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup gold medalist and All-Star Five selection.
• 2024 FIBA AmeriCup gold medalist and All-Star Five selection.

• Exceptionally skilled with the ball in his hands, as both a handler and a passer. Excellent left hand too.
• Very good floor-vision, passing and ability to make reads.
• Grown into having positional size and newfound athleticism.

• Lacks strength and sometimes physicality, with a narrower frame that can limit his ability to defend and pressure the rim.
• Can hunt high-level plays, instead of making the easy ones and that impacts both his shot selection and high turnover rate.
• Injury history, including to his back, which could impact his durability.

Ament is a big, late-blooming combo-forward who was a top 5-recruit coming out of high school. He struggled to live up to lofty initial expectations at Tennessee, but made a notable jump in mid-January. Long-term, he is a high upside prospect, but one with a wider degree of possible outcomes.

• Consensus five-star prospect who finished ranked No. 4 overall in the 2025 recruiting class.
• Selected for the McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit.
• Naismith First-Team All-American and Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Virginia.

• Overlap of positional size and skill, along with dexterity (great left hand) and fluidity as a mover.
• Soft natural hands and touch, along with a high release point, are the basis for his mismatch skill-set. Posted 47/42/90 shooting splits on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit.
• Shown growth as a handler and in his ability to draw fouls this year at Tennessee.

• Lack of strength and sheer force in his game which can impact his physicality.
• Can play upright, without ideal bend or upper body elasticity, on both ends of the floor and is somewhat in between positions defensively.
• Shooting and finishing numbers haven’t been nearly as encouraging in college as they were in high school.

• 20-yard shuttle run: 3.14 seconds
• Wingspan: 6 feet, 6.25 inches
• Standing vertical leap: 28.5 inches
• Standing reach: 8 feet, 3.5 inches
• Lane agility: 11.46 seconds
• Three quarter sprint: 3.16 seconds
• Max vertical leap: 32.5 inches

This is Quaintance’s second year of college basketball, but is his first year being draft-eligible after being too young last year at Arizona State. He’s one of the best defensive big men in this year’s draft class, but has an offensive game that doesn’t translate quite as well. He’s also coming off a torn ACL at the end of last season.

• Averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 1.1 blocks in 29.7 minutes per game as a freshman at Arizona State. Named Big 12 All-Defensive Team and All-Freshman Team.
• Transferred to Kentucky after having surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.
• Finished as a top-ten recruit in the national class of 2024, after reclassifying up from 2025.

• Great physical tools with extreme length (7-5 wingspan), big hands, a strong body and athleticism.
• Playmaking frontcourt defender who thrives as a shot-blocker (9th highest block rate in the country as a freshman), generates steals (particularly when guarding the post) and has switch-ability.
• Double-double threat who pressures the rim offensively as an offensive rebounder, changing ends and as a lob threat.

• Limited offensive skill away from the basket, despite some occasional flashes and low percentage free-throw shooter (48%).
• Unreliable decision-maker (turnovers exceeded assists as a freshman) with questionable offensive feel for the game.
• Lacks ideal height for an NBA big man, despite the length to compensate.

Stirtz began his career at D-II Northwest Missouri State before following coach Ben McCollum to Drake, where he established himself as one of the best mid-major players in the country. Now, Stirtz has followed McCollum to Iowa, where he is expected to be one of the best guards in the country. He has a chance to play his way into the lottery with his skill-level, shot-making and overall feel for the game.

• Missouri Valley Conference MVP and conference tournament Most Outstanding Player.
• Led the NCAA in minutes played per game (39.2). Led MVC in scoring (19.2), steals (2.2) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.86), while ranking second in assists (5.7).
• Two-time second-team all-conference selection at Northwest Missouri State.

• Highly skilled with an excellent feel for the game. One of the smartest players in the draft.
• Combines true shot-making with the ability to run a team from the point guard position. Good handle and very reliable decision-maker.
• Very efficient pick-and-roll player (86th percentile in DI in 2024-25) who can also run off screens off the ball.

• Has solid positional size, but otherwise lacks overwhelming or ideal physical tools for NBA standards.
• Bit of a defensive unknown against the highest levels of competition.
• Remains to be seen how much shot-creation he can provide outside of McCollum’s system.

Cenac had been a widely known high school prospect since he was an underclassman, but started to make a major jump in the summer before his senior season. His rare overlap of size, length, athleticism and budding skill provides him with all the necessary tools to be a versatile two-way big man, but there is still a gap between his potential and his production. The expectation and hope is that a year under Kelvin Sampson at Houston can improve both his approach to the game and overall reliability.

• Consensus top ten prospect in the national Class of 2025.
• Led Link Academy to the EYBL Scholastic Tournament Championship as a senior.
• MVP of the 20244 NBA Player’s Association Top 100 Camp.

• Long (7-4-plus wingspan) and athletic, particularly for his size. Gets off his feet with ease as a leaper and fluid mover.
• Developing offensive skill-set that extends to the arc to match his ability to be a lob threat and emphatic dunker at the rim.
• Similarly versatile defensive tools with his potential to protect the rim and move his feet on the perimeter.

• His potential exceeds his production, particularly when it comes to his overall consistency.
• Can be inefficient offensively, settling for low-percentage shots and suspect decisions with the ball.
• Overall feel for the game and the consistency of his motor are both somewhat uncertain.

Dybantsa is a consensus top three prospect in the draft and a legitimate candidate to be the first overall pick in June’s draft. He’s a jumbo wing with terrific positional size, a 7-foot wingspan, good athleticism and extreme court coverage. He’s also a proven scorer with a long history of putting up big numbers at virtually all spots.

• Played prep school varsity as an 8th grader and was Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year as a 9th grader.
• Reclassified in October 2023 and immediately became the top ranked prospect in the Class of 2025.
• Three-time gold medalist with USA Basketball, including this summer’s FIBA U19 World Cup, where he was named MVP.

• Elite physical tools with his size, length, athleticism, effortless mobility and elastic body type.
• Polished shot creator who can rise-up into his pull-up on demand, has advanced footwork, can operate in the mid-post, attack the paint, draw fouls and make some explosive plays in the open floor.
• Vastly improved decision-making, ability to read the floor as a passer and willingness to play through contact at the rim as a finisher.

• Inconsistent shooter who tends to have a flatter ball, both from the free-throw line and three and is more comfortable shooting off the dribble than the catch.
• Real defensive upside with the way he can cover the court, move his feet and utilize his length, but defensive commitment can be inconsistent, as can his body language.
• Has had virtually unlimited volume and freedom to this point, at every stop, so it remains to be seen how he will adapt to a more balanced system.

Peterson is the most dynamic guard in this draft class and potentially one of the best on-ball creators we’ve seen in the backcourt in several draft classes. He came into the 2025-26 college season as a consensus top-three prospect after averaging 30.4 points, 7.4 assists, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals as a high school senior at Prolific Prep. While the narratives around his freshman season at Kansas have centered around his time missed, he’s continued his pattern of making clear gains with each passing year, despite rarely playing with the full explosiveness that we saw in high school.

• No. 1 prospect in the national 2025 recruiting class.
• Co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game.
• Naismith High School Player of the Year.

• Dynamic creator with an overlap of positional size, length, strength and playmaking ability.
• Can score and make plays at all three levels with his handle, pull-up shooting, physicality as a driver, mid-post game, pick-and-roll navigation, knack for drawing fouls and ability to create for others.
• Drastically improved shot-making and ability to make tough shots, off both the catch and the dribble.

• Availability and durability are the two biggest concerns given the amount of time he’s missed and also been noticeably less than 100% this year at Kansas.
• High-usage player who rarely showed the same playmaking for others, or even on-ball initiating, as frequently as he did in high school.
• Can be a little bit of a ball-stopper in the halfcourt.

Wilson is a wiry-built and athletic forward with good size and mobility. He came into North Carolina with extremely versatile defensive tools and having made gradual, but consistent, offensive strides. He exceeded all expectations on that end of the floor though and elevated his draft status in the process.

• Was the No. 8 ranked prospect in the national class of 2025.
• Was ranked inside the top-ten prospects in his class throughout his high school career.
• Won a Georgia state championship as a senior at Holy Innocents Episcopal School and the EYBL championship with Nightrydas.

• High-level athlete who is bouncy, effortlessly mobile, flexible and has an elastic body type.
• Scores with athleticism around the rim and soft mid-range touch. Explosive in transition, good offensive rebounder, can make short drives, pass and even start the break. Also has an advanced left hand.
• Physical tools to be a playmaking defender who can guard multiple positions and erase mistakes with his court coverage, shot-blocking and high activity level.

• Inconsistent outside shooter and floor-spacer who can settle for lower percentage tough twos in the mid-range area.
• Was not viewed as an offensive alpha or primary creator in high school, so remains to be seen how much of his recent offensive growth is translatable.
• Can have defensive lapses away from the basket when he’s on the weakside of the floor and in rotations.

Boozer was a top three prospect throughout the entirety of his high school career and had arguably the most successful career in modern high school basketball history, winning every major championship he competed in, including two gold medals. His impact on winning has continued at Duke as he’s established himself as arguably the best player in college basketball this season. Long-term, he may have the highest floor in the class.

• Led Columbus High School to four Florida state championships and the Geico Nationals championship as a senior.
• Led Nightrydas to three consecutive Nike EYB championships, including the Peach Jam title in 2024.
• Co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game.

• Consummate winner with strong body, versatile floor game, mature approach and intellect for the game.
• Magnetic hands, high-volume rebounder and advanced passer (particularly with trademark long outlets).
• Inside-out scoring tools within offense, including notably improved perimeter shooter and underrated defensive versatility as well.

• Not a dynamic shot-creator or isolation player.
• Positional size and vertical athleticism are both adequate, but not elite.
• Lower release point, both on set-shot 3-pointers and even inside the lane.

Acuff was as dynamic as any lead guard in high school basketball last year, showing a real ability to put his team on his back and drive to win. He finished as a top-five recruit and No. 1 overall point guard in the national class. At Arkansas, he has lived up to that billing and been as impactful as any freshman guard in the country.

• 2025 EYBL Scholastic Player of the Year
• Named McDonald’s All-American, Jordan Brand Classic, Nike Hoop Summit, & MVP of Iverson Classic.
• MVP of the 2024 AmeriCup where he led Team USA to a gold medal.

• Shot-creator and multi-level scoring threat with especially good pull-up game.
• Plays with extreme confidence which drives his ability to deliver in big games and moments.
• Strength, balance and poise to dictate his own pace and avoid getting sped-up.

• Inconsistent defensive commitment and approach.
• Is his role as a high-volume shot creator translatable to today’s NBA?
• Size, length and athleticism are adequate for NBA standards, but not exemplary.

Wagler was an unheralded recruit who was initially viewed as a redshirt candidate. He exceeded expectations at Illinois right away in summer workouts and has continued to ascend throughout the season, establishing himself as one of college basketball’s best freshmen.

• Late-bloomer who was reportedly 5-foot-8 as a high school freshman.
• Won back-to-back state championships at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Kansas.
• Gatorade Player of the Year in Kansas, but was only ranked by one national media outlet (247Sports).

• Overlap of positional size, skill and basketball IQ.
• Natural shooter with versatility to make shots off the catch, dribble, or on the move.
• Has terrific basketball instincts, feel for the game and a very deliberate pace that prevents opposing defenders from speeding him up.

• Lacks ideal quickness, length, or athleticism.
• Can be a defensive liability if he’s pulled too far away from the basket or his help.
• Can struggle to finish in traffic at times.

Flemings was a consensus top-25 recruit coming out of Brennan High School in San Antonio, but he exceeded virtually all expectations right away at Houston. While he was known for his playmaking and athleticism, he was even more effective from day one as a creator. Simultaneously, his shooting, which was perceived as a major vulnerability in high school, was vastly better than expected (52% 3pt through 10 games).

• Consensus top-25 recruit coming out of high school.
• Was not initially expected to be on a one-and-done track upon his arrival at Houston.

• Dynamic athlete with end-to-end speed, burst in his first-step, physical strength and leaping ability. Puts constant pressure on the paint, attacks both sides off the dribble and rises up for big finishes.
• Consistent mid-range pull-up threat with high release who has also made great strides with his passing reads off the dribble.
• Competitive on ball defender who fights to stay in plays, is willing to be physical with his upper body and has a solid steal rate.

• Has solid positional size, but lacks great length.
• His 3-point shot is still very streaky with questionable mechanics.
• Can struggle with screen navigation on the defensive end of the floor.

Brown is a highly skilled lead guard. He is a late-bloomer who has grown almost eight inches since he was a high school underclassman and is now starting to show athletic gains as well. He was a nationally ranked prospect throughout his high school years and finished No. 6 in the Class of 2025.

• Consensus five-star national prospect & McDonald’s All-American.
• 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup gold medalist and All-Star Five selection.
• 2024 FIBA AmeriCup gold medalist and All-Star Five selection.

• Exceptionally skilled with the ball in his hands, as both a handler and a passer. Excellent left hand too.
• Very good floor-vision, passing and ability to make reads.
• Grown into having positional size and newfound athleticism.

• Lacks strength and sometimes physicality, with a narrower frame that can limit his ability to defend and pressure the rim.
• Can hunt high-level plays, instead of making the easy ones and that impacts both his shot selection and high turnover rate.
• Injury history, including to his back, which could impact his durability.

Ament is a big, late-blooming combo-forward who was a top 5-recruit coming out of high school. He struggled to live up to lofty initial expectations at Tennessee, but made a notable jump in mid-January. Long-term, he is a high upside prospect, but one with a wider degree of possible outcomes.

• Consensus five-star prospect who finished ranked No. 4 overall in the 2025 recruiting class.
• Selected for the McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit.
• Naismith First-Team All-American and Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Virginia.

• Overlap of positional size and skill, along with dexterity (great left hand) and fluidity as a mover.
• Soft natural hands and touch, along with a high release point, are the basis for his mismatch skill-set. Posted 47/42/90 shooting splits on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit.
• Shown growth as a handler and in his ability to draw fouls this year at Tennessee.

• Lack of strength and sheer force in his game which can impact his physicality.
• Can play upright, without ideal bend or upper body elasticity, on both ends of the floor and is somewhat in between positions defensively.
• Shooting and finishing numbers haven’t been nearly as encouraging in college as they were in high school.

• 20-yard shuttle run: 3.14 seconds
• Wingspan: 6 feet, 6.25 inches
• Standing vertical leap: 28.5 inches
• Standing reach: 8 feet, 3.5 inches
• Lane agility: 11.46 seconds
• Three quarter sprint: 3.16 seconds
• Max vertical leap: 32.5 inches

This is Quaintance’s second year of college basketball, but is his first year being draft-eligible after being too young last year at Arizona State. He’s one of the best defensive big men in this year’s draft class, but has an offensive game that doesn’t translate quite as well. He’s also coming off a torn ACL at the end of last season.

• Averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 1.1 blocks in 29.7 minutes per game as a freshman at Arizona State. Named Big 12 All-Defensive Team and All-Freshman Team.
• Transferred to Kentucky after having surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.
• Finished as a top-ten recruit in the national class of 2024, after reclassifying up from 2025.

• Great physical tools with extreme length (7-5 wingspan), big hands, a strong body and athleticism.
• Playmaking frontcourt defender who thrives as a shot-blocker (9th highest block rate in the country as a freshman), generates steals (particularly when guarding the post) and has switch-ability.
• Double-double threat who pressures the rim offensively as an offensive rebounder, changing ends and as a lob threat.

• Limited offensive skill away from the basket, despite some occasional flashes and low percentage free-throw shooter (48%).
• Unreliable decision-maker (turnovers exceeded assists as a freshman) with questionable offensive feel for the game.
• Lacks ideal height for an NBA big man, despite the length to compensate.

Cenac had been a widely known high school prospect since he was an underclassman, but started to make a major jump in the summer before his senior season. His rare overlap of size, length, athleticism and budding skill provides him with all the necessary tools to be a versatile two-way big man, but there is still a gap between his potential and his production. The expectation and hope is that a year under Kelvin Sampson at Houston can improve both his approach to the game and overall reliability.

• Consensus top ten prospect in the national Class of 2025.
• Led Link Academy to the EYBL Scholastic Tournament Championship as a senior.
• MVP of the 20244 NBA Player’s Association Top 100 Camp.

• Long (7-4-plus wingspan) and athletic, particularly for his size. Gets off his feet with ease as a leaper and fluid mover.
• Developing offensive skill-set that extends to the arc to match his ability to be a lob threat and emphatic dunker at the rim.
• Similarly versatile defensive tools with his potential to protect the rim and move his feet on the perimeter.

• His potential exceeds his production, particularly when it comes to his overall consistency.
• Can be inefficient offensively, settling for low-percentage shots and suspect decisions with the ball.
• Overall feel for the game and the consistency of his motor are both somewhat uncertain.

Stirtz began his career at D-II Northwest Missouri State before following coach Ben McCollum to Drake, where he established himself as one of the best mid-major players in the country. Now, Stirtz has followed McCollum to Iowa, where he is expected to be one of the best guards in the country. He has a chance to play his way into the lottery with his skill-level, shot-making and overall feel for the game.

• Missouri Valley Conference MVP and conference tournament Most Outstanding Player.
• Led the NCAA in minutes played per game (39.2). Led MVC in scoring (19.2), steals (2.2) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.86), while ranking second in assists (5.7).
• Two-time second-team all-conference selection at Northwest Missouri State.

• Highly skilled with an excellent feel for the game. One of the smartest players in the draft.
• Combines true shot-making with the ability to run a team from the point guard position. Good handle and very reliable decision-maker.
• Very efficient pick-and-roll player (86th percentile in DI in 2024-25) who can also run off screens off the ball.

• Has solid positional size, but otherwise lacks overwhelming or ideal physical tools for NBA standards.
• Bit of a defensive unknown against the highest levels of competition.
• Remains to be seen how much shot-creation he can provide outside of McCollum’s system.

Dybantsa is a consensus top three prospect in the draft and a legitimate candidate to be the first overall pick in June’s draft. He’s a jumbo wing with terrific positional size, a 7-foot wingspan, good athleticism and extreme court coverage. He’s also a proven scorer with a long history of putting up big numbers at virtually all spots.

• Played prep school varsity as an 8th grader and was Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year as a 9th grader.
• Reclassified in October 2023 and immediately became the top ranked prospect in the Class of 2025.
• Three-time gold medalist with USA Basketball, including this summer’s FIBA U19 World Cup, where he was named MVP.

• Elite physical tools with his size, length, athleticism, effortless mobility and elastic body type.
• Polished shot creator who can rise-up into his pull-up on demand, has advanced footwork, can operate in the mid-post, attack the paint, draw fouls and make some explosive plays in the open floor.
• Vastly improved decision-making, ability to read the floor as a passer and willingness to play through contact at the rim as a finisher.

• Inconsistent shooter who tends to have a flatter ball, both from the free-throw line and three and is more comfortable shooting off the dribble than the catch.
• Real defensive upside with the way he can cover the court, move his feet and utilize his length, but defensive commitment can be inconsistent, as can his body language.
• Has had virtually unlimited volume and freedom to this point, at every stop, so it remains to be seen how he will adapt to a more balanced system.

Peterson is the most dynamic guard in this draft class and potentially one of the best on-ball creators we’ve seen in the backcourt in several draft classes. He came into the 2025-26 college season as a consensus top-three prospect after averaging 30.4 points, 7.4 assists, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals as a high school senior at Prolific Prep. While the narratives around his freshman season at Kansas have centered around his time missed, he’s continued his pattern of making clear gains with each passing year, despite rarely playing with the full explosiveness that we saw in high school.

• No. 1 prospect in the national 2025 recruiting class.
• Co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game.
• Naismith High School Player of the Year.

• Dynamic creator with an overlap of positional size, length, strength and playmaking ability.
• Can score and make plays at all three levels with his handle, pull-up shooting, physicality as a driver, mid-post game, pick-and-roll navigation, knack for drawing fouls and ability to create for others.
• Drastically improved shot-making and ability to make tough shots, off both the catch and the dribble.

• Availability and durability are the two biggest concerns given the amount of time he’s missed and also been noticeably less than 100% this year at Kansas.
• High-usage player who rarely showed the same playmaking for others, or even on-ball initiating, as frequently as he did in high school.
• Can be a little bit of a ball-stopper in the halfcourt.

Boozer was a top three prospect throughout the entirety of his high school career and had arguably the most successful career in modern high school basketball history, winning every major championship he competed in, including two gold medals. His impact on winning has continued at Duke as he’s established himself as arguably the best player in college basketball this season. Long-term, he may have the highest floor in the class.

• Led Columbus High School to four Florida state championships and the Geico Nationals championship as a senior.
• Led Nightrydas to three consecutive Nike EYB championships, including the Peach Jam title in 2024.
• Co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game.

• Consummate winner with strong body, versatile floor game, mature approach and intellect for the game.
• Magnetic hands, high-volume rebounder and advanced passer (particularly with trademark long outlets).
• Inside-out scoring tools within offense, including notably improved perimeter shooter and underrated defensive versatility as well.

• Not a dynamic shot-creator or isolation player.
• Positional size and vertical athleticism are both adequate, but not elite.
• Lower release point, both on set-shot 3-pointers and even inside the lane.

Wilson is a wiry-built and athletic forward with good size and mobility. He came into North Carolina with extremely versatile defensive tools and having made gradual, but consistent, offensive strides. He exceeded all expectations on that end of the floor though and elevated his draft status in the process.

• Was the No. 8 ranked prospect in the national class of 2025.
• Was ranked inside the top-ten prospects in his class throughout his high school career.
• Won a Georgia state championship as a senior at Holy Innocents Episcopal School and the EYBL championship with Nightrydas.

• High-level athlete who is bouncy, effortlessly mobile, flexible and has an elastic body type.
• Scores with athleticism around the rim and soft mid-range touch. Explosive in transition, good offensive rebounder, can make short drives, pass and even start the break. Also has an advanced left hand.
• Physical tools to be a playmaking defender who can guard multiple positions and erase mistakes with his court coverage, shot-blocking and high activity level.

• Inconsistent outside shooter and floor-spacer who can settle for lower percentage tough twos in the mid-range area.
• Was not viewed as an offensive alpha or primary creator in high school, so remains to be seen how much of his recent offensive growth is translatable.
• Can have defensive lapses away from the basket when he’s on the weakside of the floor and in rotations.

Acuff was as dynamic as any lead guard in high school basketball last year, showing a real ability to put his team on his back and drive to win. He finished as a top-five recruit and No. 1 overall point guard in the national class. At Arkansas, he has lived up to that billing and been as impactful as any freshman guard in the country.

• 2025 EYBL Scholastic Player of the Year
• Named McDonald’s All-American, Jordan Brand Classic, Nike Hoop Summit, & MVP of Iverson Classic.
• MVP of the 2024 AmeriCup where he led Team USA to a gold medal.

• Shot-creator and multi-level scoring threat with especially good pull-up game.
• Plays with extreme confidence which drives his ability to deliver in big games and moments.
• Strength, balance and poise to dictate his own pace and avoid getting sped-up.

• Inconsistent defensive commitment and approach.
• Is his role as a high-volume shot creator translatable to today’s NBA?
• Size, length and athleticism are adequate for NBA standards, but not exemplary.

Flemings was a consensus top-25 recruit coming out of Brennan High School in San Antonio, but he exceeded virtually all expectations right away at Houston. While he was known for his playmaking and athleticism, he was even more effective from day one as a creator. Simultaneously, his shooting, which was perceived as a major vulnerability in high school, was vastly better than expected (52% 3pt through 10 games).

• Consensus top-25 recruit coming out of high school.
• Was not initially expected to be on a one-and-done track upon his arrival at Houston.

• Dynamic athlete with end-to-end speed, burst in his first-step, physical strength and leaping ability. Puts constant pressure on the paint, attacks both sides off the dribble and rises up for big finishes.
• Consistent mid-range pull-up threat with high release who has also made great strides with his passing reads off the dribble.
• Competitive on ball defender who fights to stay in plays, is willing to be physical with his upper body and has a solid steal rate.

• Has solid positional size, but lacks great length.
• His 3-point shot is still very streaky with questionable mechanics.
• Can struggle with screen navigation on the defensive end of the floor.

Wagler was an unheralded recruit who was initially viewed as a redshirt candidate. He exceeded expectations at Illinois right away in summer workouts and has continued to ascend throughout the season, establishing himself as one of college basketball’s best freshmen.

• Late-bloomer who was reportedly 5-foot-8 as a high school freshman.
• Won back-to-back state championships at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Kansas.
• Gatorade Player of the Year in Kansas, but was only ranked by one national media outlet (247Sports).

• Overlap of positional size, skill and basketball IQ.
• Natural shooter with versatility to make shots off the catch, dribble, or on the move.
• Has terrific basketball instincts, feel for the game and a very deliberate pace that prevents opposing defenders from speeding him up.

• Lacks ideal quickness, length, or athleticism.
• Can be a defensive liability if he’s pulled too far away from the basket or his help.
• Can struggle to finish in traffic at times.

Brown is a highly skilled lead guard. He is a late-bloomer who has grown almost eight inches since he was a high school underclassman and is now starting to show athletic gains as well. He was a nationally ranked prospect throughout his high school years and finished No. 6 in the Class of 2025.

• Consensus five-star national prospect & McDonald’s All-American.
• 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup gold medalist and All-Star Five selection.
• 2024 FIBA AmeriCup gold medalist and All-Star Five selection.

• Exceptionally skilled with the ball in his hands, as both a handler and a passer. Excellent left hand too.
• Very good floor-vision, passing and ability to make reads.
• Grown into having positional size and newfound athleticism.

• Lacks strength and sometimes physicality, with a narrower frame that can limit his ability to defend and pressure the rim.
• Can hunt high-level plays, instead of making the easy ones and that impacts both his shot selection and high turnover rate.
• Injury history, including to his back, which could impact his durability.

This is Quaintance’s second year of college basketball, but is his first year being draft-eligible after being too young last year at Arizona State. He’s one of the best defensive big men in this year’s draft class, but has an offensive game that doesn’t translate quite as well. He’s also coming off a torn ACL at the end of last season.

• Averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 1.1 blocks in 29.7 minutes per game as a freshman at Arizona State. Named Big 12 All-Defensive Team and All-Freshman Team.
• Transferred to Kentucky after having surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.
• Finished as a top-ten recruit in the national class of 2024, after reclassifying up from 2025.

• Great physical tools with extreme length (7-5 wingspan), big hands, a strong body and athleticism.
• Playmaking frontcourt defender who thrives as a shot-blocker (9th highest block rate in the country as a freshman), generates steals (particularly when guarding the post) and has switch-ability.
• Double-double threat who pressures the rim offensively as an offensive rebounder, changing ends and as a lob threat.

• Limited offensive skill away from the basket, despite some occasional flashes and low percentage free-throw shooter (48%).
• Unreliable decision-maker (turnovers exceeded assists as a freshman) with questionable offensive feel for the game.
• Lacks ideal height for an NBA big man, despite the length to compensate.

Ament is a big, late-blooming combo-forward who was a top 5-recruit coming out of high school. He struggled to live up to lofty initial expectations at Tennessee, but made a notable jump in mid-January. Long-term, he is a high upside prospect, but one with a wider degree of possible outcomes.

• Consensus five-star prospect who finished ranked No. 4 overall in the 2025 recruiting class.
• Selected for the McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit.
• Naismith First-Team All-American and Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Virginia.

• Overlap of positional size and skill, along with dexterity (great left hand) and fluidity as a mover.
• Soft natural hands and touch, along with a high release point, are the basis for his mismatch skill-set. Posted 47/42/90 shooting splits on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit.
• Shown growth as a handler and in his ability to draw fouls this year at Tennessee.

• Lack of strength and sheer force in his game which can impact his physicality.
• Can play upright, without ideal bend or upper body elasticity, on both ends of the floor and is somewhat in between positions defensively.
• Shooting and finishing numbers haven’t been nearly as encouraging in college as they were in high school.

• 20-yard shuttle run: 3.14 seconds
• Wingspan: 6 feet, 6.25 inches
• Standing vertical leap: 28.5 inches
• Standing reach: 8 feet, 3.5 inches
• Lane agility: 11.46 seconds
• Three quarter sprint: 3.16 seconds
• Max vertical leap: 32.5 inches

Stirtz began his career at D-II Northwest Missouri State before following coach Ben McCollum to Drake, where he established himself as one of the best mid-major players in the country. Now, Stirtz has followed McCollum to Iowa, where he is expected to be one of the best guards in the country. He has a chance to play his way into the lottery with his skill-level, shot-making and overall feel for the game.

• Missouri Valley Conference MVP and conference tournament Most Outstanding Player.
• Led the NCAA in minutes played per game (39.2). Led MVC in scoring (19.2), steals (2.2) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.86), while ranking second in assists (5.7).
• Two-time second-team all-conference selection at Northwest Missouri State.

• Highly skilled with an excellent feel for the game. One of the smartest players in the draft.
• Combines true shot-making with the ability to run a team from the point guard position. Good handle and very reliable decision-maker.
• Very efficient pick-and-roll player (86th percentile in DI in 2024-25) who can also run off screens off the ball.

• Has solid positional size, but otherwise lacks overwhelming or ideal physical tools for NBA standards.
• Bit of a defensive unknown against the highest levels of competition.
• Remains to be seen how much shot-creation he can provide outside of McCollum’s system.

Cenac had been a widely known high school prospect since he was an underclassman, but started to make a major jump in the summer before his senior season. His rare overlap of size, length, athleticism and budding skill provides him with all the necessary tools to be a versatile two-way big man, but there is still a gap between his potential and his production. The expectation and hope is that a year under Kelvin Sampson at Houston can improve both his approach to the game and overall reliability.

• Consensus top ten prospect in the national Class of 2025.
• Led Link Academy to the EYBL Scholastic Tournament Championship as a senior.
• MVP of the 20244 NBA Player’s Association Top 100 Camp.

• Long (7-4-plus wingspan) and athletic, particularly for his size. Gets off his feet with ease as a leaper and fluid mover.
• Developing offensive skill-set that extends to the arc to match his ability to be a lob threat and emphatic dunker at the rim.
• Similarly versatile defensive tools with his potential to protect the rim and move his feet on the perimeter.

• His potential exceeds his production, particularly when it comes to his overall consistency.
• Can be inefficient offensively, settling for low-percentage shots and suspect decisions with the ball.
• Overall feel for the game and the consistency of his motor are both somewhat uncertain.