The 2025 NBA draft took place in late June, but many analysts are already moving on to the 2026 draft. With players like Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper set to make their NBA debuts, fans and media members are shifting their focus onto who looks poised to be a top pick next year.
BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and Duke’s Cameron Boozer look like they could be the top three players in next year’s class. However, it should be a deep group of players for teams in the draft lottery to choose from. On Thursday, CBS Sports analyst Kyle Boone conducted an early mock draft of the first round of the 2026 NBA draft.
Boone pointed out an interesting target for the Chicago Bulls with the seventh pick. He had them selecting Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr, whom his colleague Adam Finkelstein dubbed the most dominant lead guard in the class. He had this to say about Acuff:
“John Calipari has another true freshman superstar on his hands in Acuff Jr., who heads to Arkansas this season with a chance to be a stat-stuffing monster with the Hogs,” Boone wrote. “My colleague Adam Finkelstein called him “the most dominant and dynamic lead guard in the class” after scouting him last April.”
Just a friendly reminder: Arkansas basketball is getting an absolute DAWG in Darius Acuff.
An elite, accomplished, BIG-TIME play-making point guard.
CANNOT wait to watch this kid in a Hogs uniform next season 😤🐗https://t.co/XCxv63Rka1 pic.twitter.com/sB2gJQ9LbN
— TorresOnArkansas (@TorresOnTheHogs) July 2, 2025
Acuff is the No. 5-ranked player in the 2025 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.
CBS Sports Analyst Makes a Bold Prediction for the Top Pick in the 2026 NBA Draft
An interesting aspect of Kyle Boone’s mock draft was who he had going first. Most analysts are projecting it to be a race between AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson to the top of the draft. However, Boone has Cameron Boozer projected to go first.
As per Boone, Cameron is a near can’t-miss talent because of his 6-foot-9 frame and powerful game.
“He can score inside and out and has guard-like versatility with the ability to score at every level and make advanced reads for his position,” Boone said.
Further, Kyle Boone termed Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa as exciting prospects, but feels confident of Boozer having a fruitful NBA career as a multi-time All-Star.
It is certainly possible that Cameron Boozer emerges as the top pick in the 2026 NBA draft, but it is a bold prediction at this stage of the offseason.
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