The Athletic Lists Top 100 Prospects for 2026 NBA Draft
The Athletic has released its first Big Board for the 2026 NBA Draft, featuring a detailed list of the top 100 prospects. AJ Dybantsa, a wing player from BYU, has emerged as the number one prospect, highlighting an exciting and deep talent pool this year.
Overview of the 2026 NBA Draft Prospects
The top three prospects currently leading the rankings are:
- AJ Dybantsa – BYU, Wing
- Darryn Peterson – Kansas, Guard
- Cameron Boozer – Duke, Forward
This draft class is notable for its depth, particularly in point guards. Numerous standout players are making significant impacts in their freshman and sophomore years.
Notable Freshman and Sophomore Players
Here are standout players who are making headlines:
- Keaton Wagler (Illinois) – Strong freshman performance.
- Hannes Steinbach (Washington) – Notable for his physical presence.
- Amari Allen (Alabama) – Continues to excel in SEC play.
- Killyan Toure (Iowa State) – Potential one-and-done prospect.
- Tyler Tanner (Vanderbilt) – Significant improvement noted this season.
- Labaron Philon (Alabama) – Impressive growth in statistics.
Rules for Ranking Prospects
To better reflect the evolving landscape of college basketball, specific ranking rules are in place:
- Freshmen are not ranked outside the top 40.
- Underclassmen are not ranked outside the top 70.
- Statistics reflect players’ metrics as of draft day 2026.
Top 10 Prospects for the 2026 NBA Draft
| Rank | Name | Position | School | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AJ Dybantsa | Wing | BYU | 6’9″ |
| 2 | Darryn Peterson | Guard | Kansas | 6’5″ |
| 3 | Cameron Boozer | Forward | Duke | 6’9″ |
| 4 | Caleb Wilson | Wing | North Carolina | 6’8″ |
| 5 | Kingston Flemings | Guard | Houston | 6’4″ |
| 6 | Jayden Quaintance | Big | Kentucky | 6’10” |
| 7 | Koa Peat | Forward | Arizona | 6’8″ |
| 8 | Yaxel Lendeborg | Forward | Michigan | 6’8.5″ |
| 9 | Hannes Steinbach | Big | Washington | 6’9.5″ |
| 10 | Mikel Brown Jr. | Guard | Louisville | 6’4″ |
Evaluation of Dybantsa’s Performance
AJ Dybantsa is currently leading due to his exceptional growth this season. Averaging 23.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, he boasts a shooting percentage of 58.6 percent. Dybantsa is also effective from the free-throw line, making 76.5 percent of his attempts.
As the season progresses, rankings may shift with players like Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer also poised to make a strong case for the number one spot. The draft evaluation is a snapshot of talent that will continue to evolve as the players develop through the season.
Conclusion
This draft class presents an intriguing mix of fresh talent and seasoned players, promising excitement as the NCAA season unfolds. The dynamics of college basketball and the players’ decisions could heavily influence the final draft outcomes.
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