The NBA has had Victor Wembanyama and Cooper Flagg as apparent No. 1 total draft picks lately. A.J. Dybantsa has been headed towards that standing for 2026.
The BYU signee has been a favourite to sit down atop draft boards subsequent summer season and ranks because the nation’s prime recruit by ESPN, On3 and Rivals. Kansas signee Darryn Peterson tops the checklist for 247Sports to make it a extra open race for No. 1.
This is an early take a look at subsequent summer season’s potential lottery prospects:
1. A.J. Dybantsa, BYU
The 6-foot-9 ahead selected the Cougars over Kansas, North Carolina and Alabama. Athleticism and flexibility shine by his rangy scoring talent set, notably when he assaults off the dribble and finishes on the rim. The Massachusetts native spent final 12 months with Utah Prep and is on this summer season’s USA Basketball Underneath-19 Nationwide Group for the FIBA World Cup.
2. Darryn Peterson, Kansas
The 6-foot-5 guard from Ohio provides perimeter measurement with the power to play on or off the ball. He can assault off the dribble or step exterior, providing the potential to overwhelm smaller guards and impression video games defensively. Peterson performed final season with Prolific Prep in California and was co-MVP of the McDonald’s All-American recreation.
3. Cameron Boozer, Duke
The 6-9 ahead joined his twin brother, Cayden, in profitable a highschool nationwide title and fourth straight Florida state title. The son of former Duke and NBA ahead Carlos Boozer confirmed his inside-out recreation (22 factors, 16 rebounds, six assists) to steer the U.S. previous the World group within the Nike Hoop Summit. He joined Peterson because the McDonald’s Recreation co-MVP.
4. Nate Ament, Tennessee
The 6-9 ahead is a McDonald’s All-American and Gatorade participant of the 12 months within the state of Virginia with versatile expertise. He’ll enhance as he provides power to his lean body, although he stands out with ballhandling and taking pictures vary.
Darryn Peterson, left, went up in opposition to Nate Ament on the Hoop Corridor Basic in January. Each are anticipated to be NBA lottery picks within the 2026 NBA Draft. (Picture by John Jones/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs)
5. Caleb Wilson, North Carolina
The 6-9 ahead from Atlanta and McDonald’s All-American provides two-way potential along with his athleticism and size, together with as a shot blocker. The McDonald’s All-American introduced his UNC dedication on TNT’s “Inside The NBA” present alongside former NBA gamers Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.
6. Chris Cenac Jr., Houston
ESPN and 247Sports rank Cenac because the nation’s prime middle, providing rangy expertise and outdoors taking pictures that made him the MVP of the NBPA High 100 camp in summer season 2024. Houston coach Kelvin Sampson has mentioned the McDonald’s All-American is “not an enormous man’s massive man… he’s a basketball participant who occurs to be 6-10.”
7. Karim Lopez, New Zealand Breakers (Australia)
The versatile 6-8 wing from Mexico is a part of the Nationwide Basketball League’s “Subsequent Stars” program designed to develop high-end prospects, averaging 9.6 factors and 4.7 assists in his 2024-25 debut season. He turns 18 in December.
The 6-9 ahead was a top-10 recruit final 12 months getting into Arizona State, the place he averaged 9.4 factors, 7.9 rebounds and a pair of.6 blocks. He later transferred to hitch the Wildcats.
9. Mikel Brown Jr., Louisville
The 6-3 McDonald’s All-American is an enormous signee for Pat Kelsey getting into 12 months 2 of his tenure with the Cardinals. He joined Dybantsa in making the U.S. U-19 group.
10. Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas
The 6-2 Acuff is the highest level guard prospect for 247Sports (No. 5 total) and ESPN (No. 7). The McDonald’s All-American operates easily within the pick-and-roll with the power to assault defenders off the dribble and from 3-point vary.
11. Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor
ESPN’s ninth-ranked recruit provides a sturdy body (roughly 6-5 and 210 kilos) and versatile athleticism whereas being identified for his high-motor type. He had 24 factors for the World group in opposition to the U.S. within the Nike Hoop Summit in April.
12. Sprint Daniels, Melbourne United (Australia)
Like Lopez, the youthful brother of Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels will play for the NBL’s “Subsequent Stars” program. Sprint is a 6-6 level guard who has been by NBA Academy Australia.
The 6-6 guard withdrew from this 12 months’s draft and should add power to his 175-pound body. However there’s clear upside along with his explosive scoring potential, equivalent to hitting six first-half 3s out of nowhere in opposition to Auburn in December.
Isaiah Evans sat behind 5 2025 NBA Draft picks at Duke, now it is his flip. Picture by Patrick Smith/Getty Photographs)
The 6-4 freshman level guard was a last-minute draft withdrawal. He averaged 10.6 factors and three.8 assists for an Elite Eight group that simply misplaced first-team All-American Mark Sears from the backcourt.
Others to look at:
—Alijah Arenas: The son of former NBA guard Gilbert Arenas is a McDonald’s All-American identified for scoring and courtroom imaginative and prescient, however the 6-6 guard’s standing is unclear as he is nonetheless working again from an April truck accident that had him positioned in a medically induced coma. Arenas averted main damage and mentioned this week he works out every day, with the plan of quickly becoming a member of USC summer season exercises.
— Miles Byrd: The 6-7 guard from San Diego State withdrew from the draft after averaging 12.3 factors, 4.4 rebounds and a pair of.7 assists as a redshirt sophomore.
— Ian Jackson: The 6-4 guard averaged 11.9 factors whereas taking pictures 39.5% from 3-point vary at North Carolina as a five-star freshman earlier than transferring to St. John’s.
— Yaxel Lendeborg: The 6-9, 240-pound ahead has gone from junior faculty to UAB and now Michigan. He withdrew from the draft after averaging 15.8 factors and 11.0 rebounds in two seasons with the Blazers.
— Tahaad Pettiford: The 6-1 freshman averaged 11.6 factors and shot 36.6% on 3s for Auburn’s Ultimate 4 group. He is set for a number one position after withdrawing from the draft.
— Meleek Thomas: The 6-4 guard averaged 33.5 factors per 40 minutes with Extra time Elite. He is a McDonald’s All-American who signed with Arkansas.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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