2026 NBA Mock Draft: The Race for the No. 1 Pick

Sports news » 2026 NBA Mock Draft: The Race for the No. 1 Pick

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With the 2025 draft class, including top names like Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, heading to the NBA, the focus now shifts to the prospects for the 2026 draft.

We have been evaluating these players for some time, with our initial mock draft published in February. Anticipation is high for the top of the 2026 class, with some league sources suggesting the top five possesses exceptional star potential. Players like Darryn Peterson, A.J. Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Nate Ament are widely seen as prospective franchise cornerstones.

Having tracked the development of the leading prospects over several years, we typically gain a reasonably accurate foresight regarding the top selections. Our June 2024 forecast for the 2025 draft, for instance, correctly identified four of the top five picks and six of the first eight, reflecting a consistent historical pattern.

The significant number of collegiate and international prospects from the 2025 pool who opted not to declare or withdrew before the deadline – potentially up to two dozen from our top 100 board – has created an unusual depth in our preliminary first- and second-round projections for the 2026 draft.

NBA teams still have much to learn about the players projected later in the lottery and the rest of the first round, partly because the incoming high school senior class enrolling in college isn`t considered exceptionally deep. Similarly, the 2007-born international cohort, newly eligible for the NBA draft, isn`t seen as particularly standout.

Every year, we witness less-familiar players emerge and significantly improve their draft stock during the college basketball season, much like Cedric Coward, Nique Clifford, Walter Clayton Jr., or Danny Wolf did in the recent draft cycle.

This unpredictability is what makes draft projections so engaging. No one can definitively say when or where future NBA players will make their mark, keeping scouts constantly evaluating.

Four top prospects for the 2026 NBA Draft — The 2026 NBA draft class is expected to feature several high-level talents at the top, including Nate Ament, Darryn Peterson, A.J. Dybantsa, and Cameron Boozer.

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Contenders for the No. 1 Pick in 2026

There are four prominent candidates vying for the top pick: Darryn Peterson, A.J. Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Nate Ament. While acknowledging the possibility of others emerging, most NBA teams currently view Peterson and Dybantsa as the most likely top two selections.

We extensively evaluated these four players, among others, at recent events like the Chipotle Nationals, Nike Hoop Summit, and McDonald’s All American games in April, as well as the USA Basketball under-19 training camp in Colorado Springs in June.

Darryn Peterson (No. 1 Candidate)

Peterson solidified his position at the top through an outstanding senior season at Prolific Prep. He proved exceptionally difficult to guard, excelling in transition, hitting deep pull-up three-pointers, and finishing powerfully at the rim. He has also shown notable improvement as a passer and defender. Heading to Kansas under coach Bill Self, the 6-foot-6 Peterson is expected to be the focal point of the offense, providing him an excellent opportunity to confirm his status as the leading prospect in the competitive Big 12 conference.

A.J. Dybantsa (No. 1 Candidate)

Once widely considered the undisputed No. 1, Dybantsa had a somewhat inconsistent high school senior year. However, he delivered a spectacular performance at the USA Basketball U19 training camp recently. Demonstrating a newfound willingness to create opportunities for teammates, Dybantsa was devastating in transition and showcased exceptional defensive versatility, locking down players from point guards to power forwards with rare physicality and intensity for his age. He scored effortlessly and made sophisticated reads in pick-and-roll situations, illustrating significant growth in his decision-making and selflessness. If Dybantsa maintains this level of play, particularly at the upcoming FIBA U19 World Cup and as a freshman at BYU, he becomes a near certainty for the No. 1 pick, potentially shifting the projected order depending on Peterson`s performance.

Cameron Boozer (No. 1 Candidate)

Boozer remains a strong possibility for the top spot following his exceptional showing at the Nike Hoop Summit. He led USA Basketball to a hard-fought overtime victory with 22 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 assists, anchoring the defense and demonstrating a remarkable feel for the game. However, some NBA executives express concerns about his perceived lack of elite explosiveness, viewing him as an early physical bloomer who might rely too heavily on overpowering smaller opponents inside. To silence these critics, he will need to consistently make outside shots and showcase his passing and defensive versatility. Expect a season from him at Duke similar to Cooper Flagg`s impact, potentially surprising doubters.

Nate Ament (No. 1 Candidate)

Ament is the most recent addition to the No. 1 pick conversation and is arguably the furthest from reaching his full potential, partly due to his current weight of 186 pounds. Nevertheless, 6-foot-11 wing players possessing his combination of fluidity, shooting touch, defensive flexibility, and scoring ability are often viewed as franchise-altering talents. Several NBA executives left the McDonald’s All American Game impressed, citing Ament`s All-Star potential. Having recently joined Tennessee for practice, Ament appears to be adding strength and is set for a prominent role in the SEC, giving him every chance to build his case as a potential surprise No. 1 selection.

Key Returning College Prospects to Watch

While the majority of our early projected first-round picks are incoming freshmen or international players, 11 of the top 30 are returning to the NCAA. Many of these players participated in the predraft process this spring before ultimately staying in college. Here are some of the top returning players NBA teams will be closely monitoring:

Jayden Quaintance, C, Kentucky

Quaintance was only 17 throughout his freshman season at Arizona State, making him ineligible for this year`s draft. NBA teams paid close attention to him, drawn by his impressive physical attributes and flashes of talent as a dunker and interior scorer. His shot-blocking numbers (2.6 per game) were particularly noteworthy, especially considering his age (he could have been a high school junior). Although Quaintance is still raw skill-wise, especially his jump shot, and needs significant technical and processing improvements, his extreme youth at the college level earns him benefit of the doubt. Scouts are eager to see if he can make a substantial leap after transferring to Kentucky. He`ll have a major platform there to solidify himself as a lottery pick, but considerable refinement is needed before he`s NBA-ready. His recovery timeline from ACL surgery in March will be a key factor to follow.

Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, Michigan

Lendeborg had a breakout season at UAB and is transferring to Michigan, where he`s expected to have a significant role and a lucrative NIL deal after considering the 2025 draft. He showed positive flashes at the combine but didn`t secure a guaranteed first-round spot. With Michigan losing key frontcourt players like first-rounder Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin to the pros, Lendeborg has a prime opportunity to boost his stock. As a late bloomer with a blend of offensive skills, defensive playmaking, and excellent length, Lendeborg is projected to be a central figure for Michigan.

Bennett Stirtz, PG, Iowa

Stirtz was gaining considerable traction with NBA scouts in March, performing well in the NCAA tournament and generating first-round buzz. Given this momentum, his decision to completely bypass the predraft process was surprising. Instead, Stirtz is following his coach Ben McCollum to Iowa, where he will take control of the offense. This move provides him with a major platform to further prove himself in the Big Ten. He is an excellent playmaker and is expected to be among the top guards nationally.

Isaiah Evans, SG, Duke

A former five-star recruit, Evans didn`t fully establish himself at Duke last season, playing a limited role on a strong team before deciding to return. As a perimeter shooter with a thin frame, Evans will likely have more scoring opportunities on a revamped Blue Devils roster, allowing NBA teams a better look at his capabilities. His limitations in decision-making and defense hindered his consistent playing time last year, and he must improve in these areas to secure a first-round projection next year. While his shooting ability is a genuine NBA asset, he faces work to convince scouts.

Tahaad Pettiford, PG, Auburn

Pettiford impressed on the first day of the NBA combine. Although he didn`t do enough to secure the first-round certainty he desired, he reminded scouts of his talent upon returning to Auburn. He should have more freedom to operate next season, as the Tigers have significant backcourt minutes available. Pettiford`s scoring and explosiveness offer potential for success as an undersized guard. However, NBA teams want to see him develop his playmaking and defense. His size (6-1, 175 pounds) currently projects him as an energy player off the bench. If Pettiford can change the narrative about his overall upside, he could climb into the first round.

2026 NBA Mock Draft: Projected Top 10 Picks

The following top-10 order is a projection based on various factors, including betting odds and internal evaluations.

Washington Wizards: Darryn Peterson, PG/SG, 6-6, Age: 18.4 (Freshman, Kansas)
Note: Top-8 protected, will go to the New York Knicks if the pick is 9 through 30.
Utah Jazz: A.J. Dybantsa, SG/SF, 6-9, Age: 18.4 (Freshman, BYU)
Brooklyn Nets: Cameron Boozer, PF, 6-9, Age: 17.9 (Freshman, Duke)
Note: Top-8 protected, will go to the Oklahoma City Thunder if the pick is 9 through 30.
Charlotte Hornets: Nate Ament, SF, 6-11, Age: 18.5 (Freshman, Tennessee)
Sacramento Kings: Mikel Brown Jr., PG, 6-4, Age: 18.8 (Committed to Louisville)
Memphis Grizzlies (via Phoenix): Jayden Quaintance, PF/C, 6-10, Age: 17.9 (Sophomore, Kentucky)
Chicago Bulls: Karim Lopez, SF/PF, 6-9, Age: 18.2 (New Zealand Breakers (NBL))
Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans): Caleb Wilson, PF, 6-9, Age: 18.9 (Freshman, North Carolina)
Memphis Grizzlies: Dame Sarr, SG/SF, Age: 19.0 (Freshman, Duke)

Dame Sarr is a 6-foot-8 versatile defender with areas of his game needing refinement.
Miami Heat: Dash Daniels, SG, 6-6, Age: 17.5 (Melbourne United (NBL))