As we enter a new year, we shine a spotlight on the 2026 NBA Draft, which features a loaded class with multiple potential stars set to enter the league.

We are still a couple months away from March Madness and even further from the pre-draft process. But the draft just became more intriguing after the Trae Young trade considering the Atlanta Hawks, currently projected with a top pick, are potentially in the market for a new point guard and might find themselves in a position to select one.

Across the board, meanwhile, several names are already emerging as future game changers in the pros. Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and AJ Dybantsa have all but locked up three of the top spots. However, some other one-and-done candidates such as Kingston Flemings and Caleb Wilson are knocking on that door as names to know for teams preparing to draft early.

We also have some fun collegiate returners who successfully used the transfer portal to maximize their potential, such as Cameron Carr, Yaxel Lendeborg, Henri Veesaar, and Aday Mara.

What’s also notable about this class: Many of the prospects who previously would have played overseas, such as Hannes Steinbach or Neoklis Avdalas, are centralized to the NCAA. That makes evaluations even easier one-to-one comparisons against similar competition.

Some of the players not on the list that you might have expected to see (Chris Cenac Jr., Isaiah Evans, Meleek Thomas, Dame Sarr, Brayden Burries, and Flory Bidunga) are excluded only because we currently project they will return to college for another season. With NIL money now so massive, there is less urgency than ever for players to declare for the pros.

Expect them to appear on future mock drafts, though, if they do declare for the draft. For now, we are only focusing on the first round.

Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.

1. Indiana Pacers: AJ Dybantsa

TEAM: BYU
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Massachusetts
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 19

AJ Dybantsa is not the consensus No. 1 pick right now but that might not last long. He recently became the youngest player in NCAA history with a 30-point triple-double, per FOX Sports. Dybantsa has notched at least 20 points eight games in a row, capable of throwing down windmill dunks in a half-court offense. The freshman is nearly as impactful and active on defense, too. Just one year removed from an appearance in the NBA Finals, the Pacers are now in a position to add one of the top prospects to their rotation once Tyrese Haliburton returns from his Achilles tendon injury. If he keeps playing at this level, given his versatility as a 6-foot-9 scorer and playmaker, he can become a superstar.

2. Atlanta Hawks (via Pelicans): Darryn Peterson

TEAM: Kansas
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Ohio
HEIGHT: 6-5
DRAFT AGE: 19

With an unprotected pick acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans in the Derik Queen trade during the 2025 NBA Draft, the Hawks will have a chance to find a great young player to replace Trae Young if Darryn Peterson does not go No. 1 overall. Even though a nagging hamstring injury has limited his minutes for Kansas this season, his ceiling as a floor general projects him as one of the best guards in the league for years to come. Peterson is already advanced well beyond his years and he would change the trajectory of this organization no matter where he is selected.

3. Sacramento Kings: Cameron Boozer

TEAM:Duke
POSITION: Big
BORN: Florida
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 18

The Kings have struggled to find an identity and look destined for one of the top picks in the draft. Duke’s Cameron Boozer should immediately jump off the page for them, and he can potentially contribute right away. Their front office could add a ready-to-win player who has made the game look shockingly easy since he was in high school. That has already translated beyond the wildest expectations to the NCAA. It is worth noting that Boozer makes more sense as a four than as a five, but wherever he plays, he could return tremendous value.

4. Washington Wizards: Caleb Wilson

TEAM: North Carolina
POSITION: Big
BORN: Georgia
HEIGHT: 6-10
DRAFT AGE: 19

When the Wizards evaluate the young talent potentially available to them, like any team drafting early regardless of need, they should have the name Caleb Wilson highlighted and underlined on their big board. As a freshman, he currently leads the nation in dunks, per Bart Torvik. He is also a rebounding machine and Washington should want a reliable double-double in the frontcourt who can make a ridiculously strong defensive impact. He is the type of player who can potentially tie everything together on the court no matter where he is selected.

5. Utah Jazz: Kingston Flemings

TEAM: Houston
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Texas
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 19

It is incredibly rare to find a freshman guard capable of putting up eight steals in a game against a high-major opponent, but that is exactly what Houston freshman Kingston Flemings did early in his NCAA tenure against Florida State. But when you add in the fact that he is also scoring and distributing so comfortably and confidently on the other side of the floor, Flemings has certainly made a strong case for himself as a top-tier guard prospect. Now that Keyonte George has emerged as such a valuable player for the Jazz, they could add some more young talent next to him for an exciting backcourt duo of the future. Utah could seriously use his help, too. They currently have the worst defensive rating in the league, per NBA.com.

6. Brooklyn Nets: Mikel Brown Jr.

TEAM: Louisville
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Florida
HEIGHT: 6-5
DRAFT AGE: 20

After the Nets took five bites at the apple in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, they will likely have yet another opportunity to add another difference-maker in the lottery. Brooklyn could have a complicated decision about whether or not it makes sense to add another young guard. But they will seriously consider Louisville freshman Mikel Brown Jr. He still needs to improve his efficiency from the field but has some moments where he looks like a potential NBA All-Star. Brown is excellent at driving and slashing to the rim from the perimeter and he was a serious standout for Team USA during the FIBA U19 World Cup.

7. Charlotte Hornets: Jayden Quaintance

TEAM: Kentucky
POSITION: Big
BORN: Ohio
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 18

Despite getting a late start to the season after transferring from Arizona State, sophomore big man Jayden Quaintance showed immediate flashes once making his debut for Kentucky. He is arguably the most talented defender in this draft class and has an unmistakable presence whenever he is on the court. Quaintance might continue to have a slow start to the season as he recovers from a torn ACL, meniscus injury, and fractured knee. But he is worth every second of that patience for a team that has struggled on defense like the Hornets considering what he can bring to an NBA court.

8. Chicago Bulls: Patrick Ngongba II

TEAM: Duke
POSITION: Big
BORN: Virginia
HEIGHT: 6-11
DRAFT AGE: 20

The Bulls do not have a projected starting center of the future and it might be worth a shot to throw a dart on Patrick Ngongba II, who is a bit underrated at this point in the year but should continue his ascension as the season continues. Ngongba is an above-average passer for his position who is at the top of his game when passing to a cutting perimeter player. He is also a solid rim protector with a strong future as a likely starter and is already on a very encouraging development track, displaying impressive year-over-year improvement from his freshman to sophomore campaign.

9. Dallas Mavericks: Labaron Philon

TEAM: Alabama
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Alabama
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 20

The ability to select an NBA-ready guard like Labaron Philon would feel like a dream for the Mavericks, especially as Kyrie Irving gets older, with D’Angelo Russell potentially coming off the books. Philon ranks as one of the NCAA’s leaders in points created either from a basket or an assist. He is a phenomenal pick-and-roll passer who has taken a massive year-over-year leap from his freshman campaign to his sophomore season now that he is shooting much more efficiently on 3-pointers.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: Bennett Stirtz

TEAM: Iowa
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Missouri
HEIGHT: 6-4
DRAFT AGE: 22

The Bucks are potentially drafting from a difficult place considering how much uncertainty seems to surround the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo. But while he is a part of the organization, Milwaukee ought to find someone who fits his timeline, and that player is Bennett Stirtz. Despite transferring from Division II to a mid-major and then to a high-major program, he is at the top of the class creating his own shot off the dribble. The Bucks play at a slow pace, which would translate well for Stirtz, who is doing the same at Iowa.

11. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Clippers): Hannes Steinbach

TEAM: Washington
POSITION: Big
BORN: Germany
HEIGHT: 6-11
DRAFT AGE: 20

It’s remarkable that after winning the 2025 NBA Finals, the Thunder are projected to somehow add even more lottery talent in the 2026 NBA Draft. Yet they are still owed a pick from the Los Angeles Clippers and they could use it to replace Isaiah Hartenstein by drafting a younger German big man: Hannes Steinbach. He is an unbelievable rebounder, especially on the offensive glass, who shined during the FIBA U19 World Cup. This is potentially a bit higher than most others will have him projected at this point in the season, but Oklahoma City’s front office isn’t typically afraid to go against the grain in its draft room. If they like a guy, they’ll call his name, and this is the type of player they typically like.

12. Portland Trail Blazers: Koa Peat

TEAM: Arizona
POSITION: Big
BORN: Arizona
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 19

The Blazers have drafted several prospects known for their off-the-charts athleticism, which means players like Koa Peat will probably have some appeal. Add in that Portland assistant general manager Mike Schmitz went to college at Arizona, where Peat is currently thriving, and this seems like an ideal match given his versatility as a playmaking forward. He needs a jumper to carve out minutes as a pro, but if and when that comes along, we’re looking at a long-term rotation player.

13. Memphis Grizzlies: Yaxel Lendeborg

TEAM: Michigan
POSITION: Big
BORN: New Jersey
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 23

Some scouts will have doubts about Yaxel Lendeborg because of his age, but at the end of the day, it is impossible to deny his productivity. He feels like the type of player who fans will look back on and wonder why he was not picked earlier, considering how productive he was, and the Grizzlies tend to wind up with those kinds of players. Lendeborg found the game later in life, only playing 11 total high school basketball games. Now, after transferring from UAB to Michigan, he has become arguably the best player in the NCAA.

14. San Antonio Spurs (via Hawks): Nate Ament

TEAM: Tennessee
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Virginia
HEIGHT: 6-10
DRAFT AGE: 19

Scouts might feel divided about Tennessee freshman Nate Ament, who has struggled with his shooting efficiency in college so far and is not showing much athleticism with very few dunks for someone his height. But with his 6-foot-10 frame and some raw skills that just can’t be taught, it is unlikely he would fall out of the lottery conversation. It only takes one team to fall in love with what he brings to the table and maybe the Spurs could use this pick from the Atlanta Hawks to swing for the fences on someone with his unique upside.

15. Golden State Warriors: Christian Anderson

TEAM: Texas Tech
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Georgia
HEIGHT: 6-3
DRAFT AGE: 20

Perhaps the biggest breakout player on mock drafts and big boards right now is Texas Tech sophomore Christian Anderson. Now playing point guard, Anderson is recording more than twice as many assists per 100 possessions as a sophomore compared to last year’s freshman season. Anderson has turned himself into one of the best scorers and most prolific 3-point shooters in the NCAA, and his game should scale well to the next level – especially playing for a coach known to maximize that, such as Steve Kerr.

16. Memphis Grizzlies (via Suns): Cameron Carr

TEAM: Baylor
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Minnesota
HEIGHT: 6-5
DRAFT AGE: 21

One of the players who has improved his draft stock the most since the season began is Baylor junior Cameron Carr. He checks multiple boxes as someone who is able to dunk and shoot from beyond the arc at a high clip, while also providing high-end value as a defender by using his 7-foot-2 wingspan. Carr is athletic, versatile, efficient and impactful enough to find a role on a team smart enough to select him. The Grizzlies have typically done a great job of finding players exactly like that.

17. Toronto Raptors: Darius Acuff Jr.

TEAM: Arkansas
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Michigan
HEIGHT: 6-3
DRAFT AGE: 19

Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. is sensational at creating a bucket – for himself or his teammates. He looks like one of the most promising lead guards in the draft, already thriving as a ball handler when operating the pick-and-roll for the Razorbacks. While he is a bit undersized, there is not much else to dislike about his game. He is fast, can throw lobs to teammates, and is shooting well. This is one of the most perfect team-player fits in this mock draft.

18. Charlotte Hornets (via Magic): Keaton Wagler

TEAM: Illinois
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Kansas
HEIGHT: 6-6
DRAFT AGE: 19

While he was not considered a projected one-and-done prospect or even a five-star recruit coming out of high school, Keaton Wagler has burst onto the scene with authority as a superb freshman. He has had a few games with at least 20 points, shooting accurately both off the catch and the dribble. Wagler has also checked other boxes in his stat sheet, rebounding and passing fairly well for his position and rarely turning the ball over.

19. Miami Heat: Neoklis Avdalas

TEAM: Virginia Tech
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Greece
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 20

With his first dozen games playing collegiate basketball, Neoklis Avdalas recorded multiple 30-point performances, while tallying at least six assists in half of those 12 games. Teams tend to fall in love with tall playmakers such as Avdalas, so expect the two-time Greek League Best Young Player to continue to rise on draft boards as the season moves forward and he ends up getting selected by a smart scouting department like the Heat.

20. Oklahoma City Thunder (via 76ers): Karim López

TEAM: International (Australia)
POSITION: Forward
BORN: Mexico
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 19

The Thunder have drafted several players from Australia’s NBL, including Terrance Ferguson, Josh Giddey and Ousmane Dieng. They could return to that well again by selecting Karim Lopez with their pick from the Philadelphia 76ers. While the Mexican-born forward still needs some development, he is widely seen as the top prospect from this class who is currently playing overseas. Even if he is a draft-and-stash player, that is ideal for a team with a rotation as crowded as the Thunder.

21. Atlanta Hawks (via Cavaliers): Thomas Haugh

TEAM: Florida
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Pennsylvania
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 22

After winning a national championship with the Gators last season, Thomas Haugh was instantly regarded as one of the most interesting players who elected to return to college. He is an incredibly skilled basketball player who does not need the ball in his hands very often to make a difference on the floor for his team and he can serve as a glue guy for an emerging team such as the Hawks.

22. Los Angeles Lakers: Joshua Jefferson

TEAM: Iowa State
POSITION: Big
BORN: Nevada
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 22

For a team that already has Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the freshly revamped scouting department for the Lakers will look for players who can help them win immediately. Do-it-all Iowa State senior Joshua Jefferson perfectly fits that bill. Nothing that he does is particularly flashy, but he can almost certainly contribute for a contender as a truly ready-to-win dribble-pass-shoot forward.

23. Minnesota Timberwolves: Tounde Yessoufou

TEAM: Baylor
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Benin
HEIGHT: 6-5
DRAFT AGE: 20

Baylor freshman Tounde Yessoufou is a force of nature in transition and does not have the same polish in a half-court offense. Still raw, there are a lot of traits to admire about what he might blossom into as he continues his development. Already, however, his athleticism and his defensive playmaking will at least intrigue teams looking to improve their wing depth like the Timberwolves.

25. New York Knicks: Henri Veesaar

TEAM: North Carolina
POSITION: Big
BORN: Estonia
HEIGHT: 7-0
DRAFT AGE: 22

After transferring from Arizona to North Carolina, we have seen a remarkable improvement from Henri Veesaar. The 7-foot big man from Estonia has the archetypal dunks-and-3s shot profile on offense. He is shooting efficiently on both, while also holding his own as a rebounder and passer. Any team looking for a big man who can provide NBA minutes on an expedited timeline, like the Knicks, will have him high on their priority list.

26. Boston Celtics: Aday Mara

TEAM: Michigan
POSITION: Big
BORN: Spain
HEIGHT: 7-3
DRAFT AGE: 21

As the Celtics continue to exceed expectations, they do have some holes to fill in their frontcourt after losing Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. After selecting Hugo González from Spain in the draft last season, they could potentially target his former FIBA U18 European Championship tournament teammate Aday Mara. The giant 7-foot-3 big man is a fantastic rim protector and he can pass effectively, finding some awesome outlet looks in transition.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Spurs): Braylon Mullins

TEAM: Connecticut
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Indiana
HEIGHT: 6-6
DRAFT AGE: 19

Braylon Mullins, a five-star recruit and former McDonald’s All-American, missed the start of the season due to an ankle injury. But now that he has returned to action for the Huskies, he has shown what makes him such an appealing player. He is a useful off-ball threat, which gives him an immediately practical role at the next level. The freshman had it all on display against Xavier, scoring 17 points while making five 3-pointers. He also added six rebounds, four assists and two steals during the performance.

27. Denver Nuggets: Tyler Tanner

TEAM: Vanderbilt
POSITION: Guard
BORN: Tennessee
HEIGHT: 6-0
DRAFT AGE: 20

It is unusual to find a 6-foot sophomore projected in the first round of a mock draft, but if there were ever a player who has earned that kind of praise it’s Tyler Tanner. Despite his size, he has found meaningful ways to contribute on both sides of the floor. He can score efficiently, dunk, block shots, steal the ball, and he is more than serviceable as a floor general capable of earning rotation minutes for a team like the Nuggets. His performance on Jan. 7 against Alabama included 29 points, seven assists and four steals.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Rockets): Sergio de Larrea

TEAM: International (Spain)
POSITION: Forward
BORN: Spain
HEIGHT: 6-5
DRAFT AGE: 20

It is probably safe to assume that Oklahoma City won’t use all three of its projected first-round picks in the 2026 NBA Draft because the Thunder don’t have the roster space. But if they do, expect to see them linked to a few international players who are potential draft-and-stash candidates such as Sergio de Larrea. While he has slowed down since a hot start to the season for Valencia, he has shot the ball well all season.

29. Detroit Pistons: Milan Momcilovic

TEAM: Iowa State
POSITION: Wing
BORN: Wisconsin
HEIGHT: 6-8
DRAFT AGE: 21

While they are surprisingly one of the best teams in the league this season, the Pistons are still struggling from the perimeter and could use more talented 3-point shooters on their roster. A simple fix would be drafting Iowa State’s Milan Momcilovic, who is having one of the most statistically dominant shooting seasons, both from beyond the arc and from midrange, among any prospect in the nation.

30. Washington Wizards (via Thunder): Morez Johnson Jr.

TEAM: Michigan
POSITION: Big
BORN: Illinois
HEIGHT: 6-9
DRAFT AGE: 20

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson’s shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the basket even without dunking very often. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.