With the college basketball regular season nearly complete, it’s time for some analysis on an NBA Draft big board.
Who will go number 1 overall? How many future superstars are in this class? Which player below the top five has the most potential? All of these questions can begin to get answered as we are roughly four months away from the 2026 NBA Draft.
1. AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU – 6-9, 210, Fr.
2025-26 stats: 25.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 53.2 FG%, 36.8 3P%
AJ Dybantsa is as gifted a scorer as they come and is mature beyond his years. For an NBA team looking to get a superstar and also change the course of their franchise, Dybantsa is their guy.
2. Cameron Boozer, F, Duke – 6-9, 250, Fr.
2025-26 stats: 22.7 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.7 SPG, 58.3 FG%, 40.8 3P%
Boozer is an extension of his dad, former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer. He’s a forward who scores at a high rate and collects rebounds amongst the big men. But Boozer is also a willing passer and can step out from deep. His shot creation isn’t as proven as Dybantsa’s, but everything else is elite as a freshman in college basketball.
3. Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas – 6-5, 205, Fr.
2025-26 stats: 19.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 47.2 FG%, 40.5 3P%
If you’re grading on talent alone, Peterson is the top guy on your 2026 NBA Draft Big Board. But when you factor in his load management as a freshman in college hoops and injury problems, concerns arise. When healthy, Peterson is a 20-25 PPG type of guy as a rookie in the NBA. But everything surrounding his ability to be available is too strange to ignore.
4. Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina – 6-10, 215, Fr.
2025-26 stats: 19.8 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 57.8 FG%, 25.9 3P%
In a loaded draft for forwards, Wilson is about a half-tier below Dybantsa and Boozer, because of his lack of a three-point shot. But he makes up for it with his athleticism and defensive capabilities. He might not change the course of a franchise, but he’s a future NBA All-Star nonetheless.
5. Darius Acuff Jr., G, Arkansas – 6-3, 190, Fr.
2025-26 stats: 22.2 PPG, 6.2 APG, 3.0 RPG, 50.5 FG%, 44.1 3P%
One of the best guards to ever play for John Calipari, Acuff continues to rise on NBA Draft Big Boards everywhere. His scoring isn’t far off from Peterson – Acuff already has dropped 49 in 2OT against Alabama, and 31 against LSU and Auburn. But his playmaking also turns heads – the 19-year-old somehow still has time to dish out over six assists per game, even as a supreme scorer. Whoever drafts Acuff is getting a pure bucket getter.
6. Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville – 6-5, 190, Fr.
2025-26 stats: 18.9 PPG, 4.8 APG, 3.4 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 41.8 FG%, 35.7 3P%
Brown’s numbers might not match Acuff’s but when he’s on, you can’t ignore his scoring capabilities. Problem is, the star freshman has been susceptible to some cold shooting nights. But then you look at a 14-for-23 night for 45 points against NC State and you realize the potential in drafting Brown.
7. Kingston Flemings, G, Houston – 6-4, 190, Fr.
2025-26 stats: 16.6 PPG, 5.1 APG, 3.8 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 48.2 FG%, 37.9 3P%
Flemings might be the most consistent guard in this draft class. In Big 12 play, he’s only gone below 10 points twice and below four assists once. And on a Cougars team that also features guards Milos Uzan and Emanuel Sharp, it’s noteworthy how that hasn’t taken away from Flemings.
8. Nate Ament, F, Tennessee – 6-10, 207, Fr.
2025-26 stats: 17.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 41.7 FG%, 32.8 3P%
Tennessee has been a consistent team at the top of the SEC, but they don’t always have one-and-done talent. That’s not the case with Ament, who is one of the best freshmen in program history. Efficiency is a slight problem, but as SEC play has heated up, Ament has risen to the occasion. He’s had 20+ points in 7 of his last 12 games. And with some guard traits at 6-10, Ament’s potential is higher than most players ranked eighth on an NBA Draft Big Board.
9. Keaton Wagler, G, Illinois – 6-6, 185, Fr.
2025-26 stats: 18.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.3 APG, 45.6 FG%, 42.0 3P%
The Illinois star freshman has been a pleasant surprise. While we figured he had one-and-done potential, I’m not sure if anyone knew he’d be this good. A 46-point outburst in a win at Purdue might have been the best single-game performance by any player in college basketball this season.
10. Braylon Mullins, G, UConn – 6-6, 196, Fr.
2025-26 stats: 12.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 45.7 FG%, 38.6 3P%
Mullins is the first player on this NBA Draft Big Board who has a little less proven, but the potential is off the charts. He’s a 6-foot-6 swingman with a quick and high release, deadly aim from downtown, and plays like a ball of energy. Given UConn’s depth, it’s no wonder that he isn’t averaging 20 PPG like some of these guys, but he’s got the potential to be a highly impactful player in the league.
11. Labaron Philon Jr., G, Alabama – 6-4, 177, So.
2025-26 stats: 21.3 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 50.3 FG%, 38.7 3P%
Philon is a superb decision-maker, crafty with the ball, and always plays with a head up. He’s also a scorer, so even though he’s a tad undersized, he’s got NBA qualities to work with. Philon doesn’t scream NBA superstar, but he does most things above-average, which should turn him into a longtime NBA vet.
12. Brayden Burries, G, Arizona – 6-4, 205, Fr.
2025-26 stats: 15.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, 49.2 FG%, 37.2 3P%
Burries doesn’t play with the same pop as some of the guards above him, and doesn’t have any major scoring outbursts. But he makes up for it with a certain poise and consistency – eight games between 20 and 29 points on the season and just 1.3 turnovers per game. For NBA teams just looking for a boost, Burries would be an exceptional pick.
13. Koa Peat, F, Arizona – 6-8, 235, Fr.
2025-26 stats: 13.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.6 APG, 54.2 FG%, 33.3 3P%
Peat rose to the occasion in his first game in college basketball, posting 30 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Since then, his inconsistencies have shown, as there are some games where Peat goes unnoticed. But it shouldn’t take away from his mid-range talents. The hype train may have left, but it’s still got time to come back.
14. Cameron Carr, G, Baylor – 6-5, 175, Rs.-So.
2025-26 stats: 18.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.4 BPG, 51.0 FG%, 37.6 3P%
Baylor is having a very disappointing season, but Carr has been a big bright spot. The redshirt sophomore is a high-flyer and may have never seen a bad shot in his life. His confidence is a bonus, and while other NBA Draft Big Boards may not be this high on him, I’m totally bought in.
15. Thomas Haugh, F, Florida – 6-9, 210, Jr.
2025-26 stats: 16.9 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 46.5 FG%, 33.8 3P%
Haugh is having a career year, nearly doubling his points per game after a national championship campaign with the Gators last season. He runs the floor as well as anyone on this NBA Draft Big Board, and his energy is contagious. The three-point shooting still needs work, but Haugh seems like he has the mindset to keep growing.
16. Hannes Steinbach, F, Washington – 6-11, 220, Fr.
2025-26 stats: 18.0 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.2 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 56.5 FG%, 34.1 3P%
The German big man is a very unique prospect – someone who can score and stretch the floor from deep, but can also be a force on the boards. The causes for concern are how well he can run the floor and, more importantly, physicality. But he’s got some of the best touch from deep of any big man in the country, so for a team willing to take a small risk, he’s a good pick.
17. Christian Anderson, G, Texas Tech – 6-2, 165, So.
2025-26 stats: 19.6 PPG, 7.7 APG, 3.9 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 49.0 FG%, 43.9 3P%
Anderson’s undersized frame is really the only thing going against him, because he is one of the best passers on this NBA Draft Big Board, is an exceptional three-point shooter, and just keeps getting better. He’s also mastered a near-perfect pace of play and always plays with his head on a swivel.
18. Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Michigan – 6-9, 230, Sr.
2025-26 stats: 14.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 49.6 FG%, 30.9 3P%
I understand the positives surrounding Lendeborg. He has an NBA-ready frame, explodes to the rim, can step out and hit the three when needed, and is an above-average passer at his size. But he will be a 24-year-old NBA rookie, so his potential is nearly at its height. Lendeborg has first-round value, but only for the right team.
19. Alijah Arenas, G, USC – 6-6, 199, Fr.
2025-26 stats: 13.9 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 33.1 FG%, 21.7 3P%
Arenas is still getting his feet under him and obviously has some hype for being the son of former NBA player Gilbert Arenas. But it’s still well-deserved – he knows how to hunt out shots, and although efficiency is not good, he’s capable of making some tough shots and has a good bag of moves. Arenas was out of most of the season due to injury, so these last few weeks should show us how NBA ready he is.
20. Tounde Yessoufou, G/F, Baylor – 6-5, 215, Fr.
2025-26 stats: 17.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, 2.0 SPG, 47.0 FG%, 31.8 3P%
There’s a lot to like about Yessoufou, who plays like a mini-Julius Randle in the paint and on the baseline, and is a defensive stopper at 6-5, 215. But that’s also his limitation – an undersized forward who needs to become a more trusted swingman. The potential is there, but it would be a bigger project than most guys ahead of him on this NBA Draft Big Board.
*As the 2026 NBA Draft approaches, I will provide more in-depth analysis for the rest of the players on this list and a bigger NBA Draft Big Board as well. For now, here is the rest of the top 50.*
21. Karim Lopez, F, International prospect from Mexico
22. Jayden Quaintance, F, Kentucky
23. Chris Cenac Jr., F, Houston
24. Joshua Jefferson, F, Iowa State
25. Bennett Stirtz, G, Iowa
26. Amari Allen, F, Alabama
27. Aday Mara, C, Michigan
28. Ebuka Okorie, G, Stanford
29. Braden Smith, G, Purdue
30. Patrick Ngongba, C, Duke
31. Dailyn Swain, G, Texas
32. Tyler Tanner, G, Vanderbilt
33. Donnie Freeman, F, Syracuse
34. Malachi Moreno, C, Kentucky
35. Sergio de Larrea, G, International prospect from Spain
36. Morez Johnson, F, Michigan
37. Zuby Ejiofor, F, St. John’s
38. JT Toppin, F, Texas Tech
39. Dash Daniels, G, International prospect from Australia
40. Milan Momcilovic, G/F, Iowa State
41. Juke Harris, G, Wake Forest
42. Jaden Bradley, G, Arizona
43. Darrion Williams, F, NC State
44. Isaiah Evans, G, Duke
45. Otega Oweh, G, Kentucky
46. Zvonimir Ivisic, C, Illinois
47. Paul McNeil Jr., G, NC State
48. Henri Veesaar, C, North Carolina
49. Meleek Thomas, G, Arkansas
50. Richie Saunders, G, BYU