2026 NBA Draft is headlined by a trio of potential top picks including AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson & Cameron Boozer
- Chas Post
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The 2026 NBA Draft is set to take place on June 23 and there are three prospects that are considered to be in the mix for the top pick: BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa, Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson and Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer!
For the last several years, Dybantsa, Peterson and Boozer have been atop the 2026 NBA Draft class and each of them have a chance to become one of the best players at their position in the league, but a lot of it will come down to where they are drafted.
Dybantsa is a 6-foot-9, 217-pound forward that is the most prolific scorer in this draft class — averaged an NCAA-best 25.5 points per game in his freshman campaign at BYU — and has drawn comparisons to former No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins.
Peterson is a 6-foot-5, 199-pound guard that is a dynamic on-guard playmaker, leading Kansas with 20.2 points and 1.4 steals per game, and shows shades of Brandon Roy, but he missed 11 games with multiple injuries throughout his freshman year.
Boozer is a 6-foot-8, 253-pound forward that is an elite post scorer, rebounder and passer, taking home National Player of the Year after a historic freshman season with Duke, and has previously been compared to his father Carlos Boozer and Al Horford.
North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson, Arkansas Razorbacks point guard Darius Acuff Jr, and Michigan Wolverines center Aday Mara, forward Yaxel Lendeborg and forward Morez Johnson Jr. are expected to be drafted in the lottery as well.
2026 NBA Draft projections
1. Wizards: AJ Dybantsa (BYU forward)
2. Jazz: Darryn Peterson (Kansas guard)
3. Grizzlies: Cameron Boozer (Duke forward)
4. Bulls: Caleb Wilson (North Carolina forward)
5. Clippers: Keaton Wagler (Illinois guard)
6. Nets: Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas guard)
7. Kings: Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville guard)
8. Hawks: Kingston Flemings (Houston guard)
9. Mavericks: Brayden Burries (Arizona guard)
10. Bucks: Nate Ament (Tennessee forward)
11. Warriors: Aday Mara (Michigan center)
12. Thunder: Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan forward)
13. Heat: Morez Johnson Jr. (Michigan forward)
14. Hornets: Hannes Steinbach (Washington center)
15. Bulls: Karim López (Mexico forward)
16. Grizzlies: Labaron Philon Jr. (Alabama guard)
17. Thunder: Cameron Carr (Baylor guard)
18. Hornets: Bennett Stirtz (Iowa guard)
19. Raptors: Christian Anderson Jr. (Texas Tech guard)
20. Spurs: Jayden Quaintance (Kentucky center)
21. Pistons: Chris Cenac Jr. (Houston forward)
22. 76ers: Allen Graves (Santa Clara forward)
23. Hawks: Dailyn Swain (Texas forward)
24. Knicks: Ebuka Okorie (Stanford guard)
25. Lakers: Koa Peat (Arizona forward)
26. Nuggets: Isaiah Evans (Duke guard)
27. Celtics: Tarris Reed Jr. (UConn center)
28. Timberwolves: Meleek Thomas (Arkansas guard)
29. Cavaliers: Henri Veesaar (North Carolina center)
30. Mavericks: Zuby Ejiofor (St. John's forward)
