Who's Who of the 2026 NBA Draft!
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Glossary:
Comparison Player is a rough pairing of what a player can be with improvements to their game.
P = Points
A = Assists
R = Rebounds
S = Steals
B = Blocks
Picks #1 - #10
#1 - AJ Dybansta drafted by the Washington Wizrds
Dybansta is a decorated 6'9 Forward out of BYU with a league-ready build. AJ is a born finisher, whether its from mid range jumpers or powering through lanes , his self shot creation is A Tier.
AJ is a high usage, multi level scorer who is ready to show the league the type of shots he can create. Slotting straight into the Starting 5 for Washington, expect to see this kid fly.
Comparison Player - Jaylen Brown.
#2 - Darryn Peterson drafted by the Utah Jazz
Peterson is a 6'5 Score First Guard. With a prowess for shot creation and great ability to absorb contact, expect to see Peterson driving to the basket succesfully. The crazy thing is, Peterson shot nearly the highest volume of 3pt attempts in college basketball last year too.
Peterson also helps share some defensive workload, rarely fouling and generating a solid amount of steals. This kid is a full cross court talent - exciting.
Comparison Player - Devin Booker
#3 - Cameron Boozer drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies
Boozer is a 6'9 Forward/Centre out of Duke. Son of Carlos, the name comes with expectations that Cam is ready to fulfil. This big man seperates himself with his ability to pass the ball & read the floor like a guard would. From driving to the basket & ddrawing fouls to finishing a decent clip from the arc - Cam is ready to shine.
Defensively, Cams strong 6'9 frame is a great rim protector and perimter defender. With active hands & a high defensive IQ, Boozer will genuinely effect the court at both ends.
Comparison Player - Alperen Sengun
#4 - Caleb Wilson drafted by the Chicago Bulls
Wilson is a 6'10 Forward out of North Carolina. An explosive athlete, Wilson is ready to doimate on both sides of the glass. From a lob threat to a block lord, Wilson has the power and style to glow in the league.
Wilson has been described as a 'Transition Terror' by his prowess on both sides of the court. With room for growth in his deep game & shot making ability, Wilson could truly become a wrecking ball in the league.
Comparison Player - Scottie Barnes
#5 - Keaton Wagler drafted by the LA Clippers
Wagler is a 6'6 Guard out of Illinois. A four star recruit who prioritises skill and feel over athleticism and power. Wagler has a smooth quick release jumper and is good and finishing from anywhere in the half court.
Wagler has been described as having 'veteran like leadership' and extremely high Basketball IQ, using the playbook to his advantage and nailing set plays. Should be an interesting fit at LA.
Comparison Player - CJ McCollum
#6 - Mikel Brown Jr drafted by the Brooklyn Nets
Brown Jr is a 6'5 Guard out of Louisville. Brown is a few years off a full development, but has shown elite shot making and three level scoring in flashes. Active hands aid on defence as well with a decent number of SPG.
Comparison Player - Keyonte George
#7 - Darius Acuff Jr drafted by the Sacramento Kings
Acuff Jr is a 6'3 Guard out of Arkansas. A Five star prospect with a massive array of awards, Acuff is an elite offensive guard. With three way scoring and lead playmaking, this is the type of young guard every team wants.
Acuff molded his game off Allen Iverson, and is looking to be an extremely strong addition to the Kings roster. Watch this kid.
Comparison Player - Jamal Murray
#8 - Kingston Flemings drafted by the Atlanta Hawks
Flemings is a 6'3 Guard out of Houston. A Speedy, athletic, technical guard who caught lots of eyes at the collegiate level. With the ability to wisely choose his shots, Flemings has extremely high level scoring IQ for his age.
Kingston is set to have immediate impact on the league with his strong ability on both ends of the court. Known nearly mor efor his elite defense than his amazing offense, Kingston is going to bolster this Hawks team off the jump.
Comparison Player - De'Aaron Fox
#9 - Morez Johnson Jr drafted by the Dallas Mavericks
Johnson is a 6'9 Forward/Centre out of Michigan. A Four Star Recruit who's ready to fit perfectly into Small Ball 5 or a strong 4 slot. Johnson has an effective defensive game but developing his offense will be what sets him apart and cements him a spot in the league.
Comparison Player - Isiah Stewart
#10 - Brayden Burries drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks
Burries is a 6'4 Guard out of Arizona. With a great blend of size, toughness & shooting, Burries has future All-Star calibre potential. Strong on & off the ball, he should fit well into the Bucks new look lineup.
Burries entersd the league on crazy shooting stats. 49.1% from the field with 39.1% from deep. Exoect this kid to flourish when pulling up.
Comparison Player - Derreck White
Picks #11 - #30
Picks 11 - 30 will all have short summaries - I will jump further in depth for some of the better players.
#11 - Yaxel Lendeborg drafted by the Golden State Warriors
Lendeborg is a decorated 6'10 Forward out of Michigan. Elite production on bioth ends of the floor is whats most known for Yaxel. A proven ability to finish from anywhere and great physcial defensive traits.
Comparison Player - Aaron Gordon
#12 - Aday Mara drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder
Mara is a 7'4 Centre out of Michigan. A straight up big dude who is ready for big impact. Built for defense but with a strong floater game, Mara should be a nice 2nd or 3rd core replacement for Chet & I Hart.
Comparison Player - Ryan Kalkbrenner
#13 - Nate Ament drafted by the Miami Heat - Traded to Milwaukee Bucks
Ament is a 6'10 Forward out of Tenessee. With a strong blend of height, ball handling, playmaking & foul baiting - Ament fits the mould as a great pick and roll big man. Keep an eye on him.
Comparison Player - Andrew Wiggins
#14 - Hannes Steinbach drafted by the Charlotte Hornets
Steinbach is a 6'10 Forward out of Washington / Germany. Steinbach is a defensive minded big who needs a strong amount of work to build a long NBA career.
Comparison Player - Isiah Stewart
#15 - Dailyn Swain drafted by the Chicago Bulls
Swain is a 6'7 Forward out of Texas. Swain is a two way wing with great ability to get to the rim and finish. A great all round combination of size & touch. Quality.
Comparison Player - Deni Avdija
#16 - Bennett Stirtz drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies - Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder
Stirtz is a 6'4 Guard out of Iowa. Stirtz still has a long way to go to be a star in the league but is a up and coming floor general. Good upside but a while to go.
Comparison Player - Ty Jerome
#17 - Ebuka Okorie drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder - Traded to Memphis Grizzlies
Okorie is a 6'1 Guard out of Stanford. As a downhill threatning scorer with strong rim finishing - Okorie could grow into a great talent. An off-the-dribble weapon with good floor spacing. Keep an eye on Okorie.
Comparison Player - Isiah Thomas
#18 - Christian Anderson drafted by the Charlotte Hornets
Anderson is a 6'1 Guard out of Texas Tech. Anderson was the MVP at the 2022 U16 FIBA leading Germany to Gold. A Knockdown shooter with unlimited range. Between shotm-making and dimes, Anderson seems to be a steal of the draft.
Comparison Player - Payton Pritchard
#19 - Allen Graves drafted by the Toronto Raptors
Graves is a 6'8 Forward out of Santa Clara. A Defense first forward who specialises in Steals & Blocks. A true multi layer defender who can be used to create great space on the floor. Graves still needs offensive development but can see him being used in set situations in clutch time.
Comparison Player - Tari Eason
#20 - Jayden Quaintance drafted by the San Antonio Spurs
Quaintance is a 6'9 Forward/Centre out of Kentucky. A Defensive minded big man who can provide aid on both sides of the glass. Only 18 years old, so much room for growth. With the Spurs this kid could become electric.
Comparison Player - Jalen Duren
#21 - Karim Lopez drafted by the Detroit Pistons - Traded to Memphis Grizzlies
Lopez is a 6'8 Forward out of New Zealand Breakers / Mexico. Lopez is a physical downhill driver with ability to get to the rim. A fully well rounded player who has a massive, massive potential.
Comparison Player - Aaron Gordon
#22 - Labaron Philon Jr drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers
Philon Jr is a 6'3 Guard out of Alabama. Philon has a do-it-all offensive toolkit. There are question marks defensively but good potential to grow.
Comparison Player - Mike Conley
#23 - Zuby Ejiofor drafted by the Atlanta Hawks
Ejiofor is a 6'9 Forward/Centre out of St Johns. A multi level defender with strong glass crashing abvility. Typical big man on both ends.
Comparison Player - Al Horford
#24 - Cameron Carr drafted by the New York Knicks - Traded to LA Lakers
Carr is a 6'5 Guar out of Baylor. A mix of shooting & athleticism makes Carr a clean fit for a modern NBA Wing. Expect him in trash minutes & or G-League time at LA.
Player Comparison - Trey Murphy
#25 - Sergio De Larrea drafted by the LA Lakers - Traded to Dallas Mavericks
Larrea is a 6'6 Guard out of Valencia Spain. A big guard with a trustworthy jumper with good passing vision. Interested to see how he goes.
Comparison Player - Josh Giddey
#26 - Tarris Reed Jr drafted by theDenver Nuggets - Traded to San Antonio Spurs
Reed Jr is a 6'10 Centre out of Connecticut. A Strong passing big man that needs a chunk of work. Good fit at Spurs organistation for development.
Comparison Player - Andrew Bogut
#27 - Danny Wolf drafted by the Brooklyn Nets
Wolf is a 6'11 Forward/Centre out of Michigan - coming off great averages of 13P, 9.7R & 3.6A - an amazing state line for a big man. Expect Wolf to eat up double doubles if he gets the court time as he can be powerful on both ends of the glass. Needs to build ahtleticisim. Good pickup for Brooklyn.
Comparison Player - Kelly Olynyk
#28 - Chris Cenac Jr drafted by the Boston Celtics
Cenac Jr is a 6'11 Forward / Centre out of Houston. A raw offensive prospect with great room to grow. A Mix of rebounding ability and dimes could make this guy something special.
Comparison Player - Kel'el Ware
#29 - Alex Karaban drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers - Traded to Sacramento Kings
Karaban is a 6'7 Forward out of Connecticut. A Floor psacing general that can immediately help this Kings team. Ability to shoot with low turnover %, kids a great take at #29.
Comparison Player - Mike Miller
#30 - Koa Peat drafted by the Dallas Mavericks - Traded to Phoenix Suns
Peat is a 6'7 Forward out of Arizona. A strong ball handler with ahtleticism to effect both ends of the court. Needs to improve from deep to keep up with the modern game.
Comparison Player - Aaron Gordon
That's a Wrap!
There's still some gems to be found in that second round - never count them out!
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