With the 2025-26 college basketball season just around the corner, we can now shift our attention to the top prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft. There’s palpable excitement around next year’s draft class, with incoming freshmen Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa expected to headline the field of prospects. Here’s an early 2026 NBA mock draft.
2-Round 2026 NBA Mock Draft
1. Washington Wizards: Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas
The Washington Wizards failed in their bid to win the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes last season and got the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. They have an opportunity to get another franchise player next year, with Darryn Peterson expected to land in Washington if the Wizards nab the No. 1 pick in the 2026 Draft.
Peterson will be playing his freshman season at Kansas, arriving as the Jayhawks’ highest-ever recruited high school star. He won the Naismith High School Player of the Year award and earned McDonald’s All-American honors following the 2024-25 campaign.
2. Utah Jazz: AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU
The Utah Jazz are another team that tried to land Cooper Flagg in last year’s draft. They ended up getting the No. 5 pick in the first round despite having the worst record in the entire league last season. They will have another chance to get a franchise-caliber forward next year, with AJ Dybantsa expected to go to Utah if the Jazz nab the No. 2 selection in the 2026 Draft.
Dybantsa will suit up for the BYU Cougars this coming season. He arrives with heightened expectations, having won the Most Valuable Player award in the recently concluded FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. He averaged 14.3 points, 4.1 boards, 2.3 dimes, and 1.1 steals per contest in that tournament.
3. Brooklyn Nets: Cameron Boozer, F, Duke
The Brooklyn Nets have entered the rebuilding phase of their franchise, dismantling a lineup that once featured Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Mikal Bridges. The Nets have an opportunity to get a solid foundation for their next great team if they manage to land inside the top 3 of next year’s draft.
Duke recruit Cameron Boozer has been named the 2025 Gatorade National POY 🚨🔥 pic.twitter.com/XKtVZHvV7C
— League Ready (@LeagueRDY) March 26, 2025
Cameron Boozer is one player who could help turn Brooklyn’s fortunes around. He is the latest five-star prospect of the Duke Blue Devils, following in the footsteps of Cooper Flagg. The son of former NBA star Carlos Boozer is the reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year.
4. Charlotte Hornets: Jayden Quaintance, F/C, Kentucky
The Charlotte Hornets will be looking for a big man in next year’s draft to help bolster their front court. They could select Kentucky’s Jayden Quaintance if they manage to land inside the top 4 of the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Wildcats signed Quaintance through the transfer portal despite the 6-foot-11 center suffering an ACL injury late last season. He was one of the nation’s best defenders before his injury, averaging 2.6 blocks per contest.
5. Sacramento Kings: Koa Peat, F, Arizona
It’s back to the drawing board for the Sacramento Kings, who have missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. A top-5 pick might be on the cards for the Kings in next year’s draft if they struggle mightily next season.
One guy who could get the Sacramento fan base excited again is Koa Peat. Arizona’s incoming freshman recently helped Team USA win the gold medal in the FIBA U19 World Cup, averaging 12.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in the tournament. He won Gatorade Player of the Year honors in Arizona in his final three years of high school.
6. Memphis Grizzlies: Nate Ament, F, Tennessee
Nate Ament will have an opportunity to show his full potential when he plays for the Tennessee Volunteers this coming season. Much is expected from Ament, who was named the second-best player in the nation by On3. The Grizzlies could select him in next year’s draft if he emerges as one of the best players in the SEC this coming season.
7. Chicago Bulls: Mikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville
Mikel Brown Jr. showed what he is capable of in the FIBA U19 World Cup, recording 43 assists and shooting 47.6% from the 3-point area for Team USA in the tournament. His outstanding playmaking and consistent outside shooting make him an enticing lottery selection for the Chicago Bulls at No. 7.
8. Atlanta Hawks: Dame Sarr, F, Duke
Dame Sarr will look to bolster his draft stock when he plays for the Duke Blue Devils this coming season. He played for FC Barcelona in the past three seasons before heading to the United States to play NCAA basketball in the 2025-26 campaign.
Sarr shot 52.1% from the floor and 42.9% from beyond the arc in the 2024-25 domestic season for the Catalan giants.
9. Memphis Grizzlies: Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina
Hubert Davis scored a major win when he signed unanimous five-star prospect Caleb Wilson in his Class of 2025. Wilson, who played high school ball at Holy Innocents Episcopal School, drew scholarship offers from 27 schools, including Duke and Kentucky, before choosing UNC. He will be the focal point of the Tar Heels’ offense, providing him with the opportunity to cement his lottery pick status.
10. Miami Heat: Karim Lopez, F, New Zealand Breakers (NBL)
Karim Lopez impressed in his first year in the Australian league, with the 6-foot-9 forward displaying solid outside shooting and physicality in his debut season for the New Zealand Breakers.
Another outstanding season from Lopez in Year 2 of his NBL stint might see him earn a top-10 selection in next year’s draft.
Remaining top prospects for 2026 NBA Draft
- Darius Acuff, Arkansas
- Chris Cenac Jr., Houston
- Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
- Nikolas Khamenia, Duke
- Dash Daniels, Melbourne United (NBL)
- Isaiah Evans, Duke
- Bennett Stirtz, Iowa
- Sergio De Larrea, Valencia (Spain)
- Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn
- Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor
- Braylon Mullins, UConn
- Aday Mara, Michigan
- Joseph Tugler, Houston
- Hannes Steinbach, Washington
- Andrej Kostic, Kansas State
- Ognjen Srzentic, Mega Superbet (Serbia)
- Alex Condon, Florida
- Motiejus Krivas, Arizona
- Boogie Fland, Florida
- Labaron Philon, Alabama
- Braden Smith, Purdue
- Alex Karaban, UConn
- Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s
- Karter Knox, Arkansas
- Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan
- Patrick Ngongba II, Duke
- Dailyn Swain, Texas
- JT Toppin, Texas Tech
- Darrion Williams, NC State
- Thomas Haugh, Florida
- Miles Byrd, San Diego State
- Derrion Reid, Oklahoma
- Andrej Stojakovic, Illinois
- Ian Jackson, St. John’s
- Moustapha Thiam, Cincinnati
- Henri Veesaar, North Carolina
- Kam Williams, Kentucky
- Milos Uzan, Houston
- Tomislav Ivisic, Illinois
- Nolan Winter, Wisconsin
- Mackenzie Mgbako, Texas A&M
- Ryan Conwell, Louisville
- Wesley Yates III, Washington
- Donnie Freeman, Syracuse
- Flory Bidunga, Kansas
- Magoon Gwath, San Diego State
- Zvonimir Ivisic, Illinois
- Tobi Lawal, Virginia Tech
- Kwame Evans Jr., Oregon
- Richie Saunders, BYU
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