There is a TON of movement in my second Big Board of the season but by far the biggest development is a new name in the top 3. A month ago it would be hard to imagine this happening but here we are just a month into the season and already the big 3 has turned into a big 4.
Moving Cameroon Boozer down to no.4 on my board was a really tough decision. But his slide down has much more to do with UNC star Caleb Wilson showing such special upside ability, rather than Cam looking bad.
But there is also the fact that Boozer has struggled a bit to separate against NCAA level athleticism and looks to have a bit less upside that originally thought. Let’s be clear, he’s still a big time prospect and will have some monster games this season (and might end up making this ranking look silly) but for now I just can’t put him above the high flying and insanely productive Caleb Wilson when viewed in the light of long term upside.
Other big risers on this list include Houston guard Kingston Flemings who moves all the way up to no.7, Neo Avdalas at no.6 and Cameron Carr who flies up to no.21 (and could continue to climb). Hannes Steinback and Henri Veesaar have also moved up.
Overall this draft class has more than lived up to the big expectations and the hype. The freshmen class is ridiculously strong, perhaps the best we’ve ever seen, and there are plenty of upperclassmen standouts adding great depth.
I know that ranking Cameron Boozer at no.4 will raise some eyebrows and I’m fully willing to eat these words in the near future if/when he starts going off but I also have to trust my eyes, and my eyes are telling me that Caleb Wilson is special.
2026 NBA Draft Big Board 2.0
 | TIER 1 – SUPERSTAR – FRANCHISE CORNERSTONE |
| 1 | Darryn Peterson – 6-5 – Kansas – An elite talent and one of the best guards to enter the college ranks in the past decade. A near lock to go in the top 3 and a serious contender to go no.1 overall. Peterson is an unstoppable force on the offensive end, able to score from anywhere and do it with high efficiency, while also being a high level passer. He’s also a very good defender who can lock down on the ball and his a menace in the passing lanes. He’s been out for a bit with a hamstring injury but will hopefully be back in action soon. |
| 2 | AJ Dybantsa – 6-9 – BYU – If the 3pt shot comes along this ranking will be too low. AJ is a power-wing who can initiate the offense, get his own shot and impose his will on the game. He’s a force going to the basket and has a knack for getting into the lane and scoring through contact. He reminds me of a jumbo-sized version of RJ Barrett, which is an All Star level player who could be a franchise cornerstone. |
| 3 | Caleb Wilson – 6-10 – North Carolina – Wilson has elite athletic ability and a game that is quickly catching up to his elite tools. He’s got a quick first step, awesome leaping ability and a quickly developing perimeter game. A few weeks ago it was hard to imagine a player breaking into the top 3 of this draft but Wilson has looked so incredible early in the season and flashed such tantalizing upside that now it’s hard to imagine that there are any better prospects out there. |
| 4 | Cameron Boozer – 6-9 – Duke – It feels almost sacrilegious to have Boozer outside of the top 3 and I very well could end up regretting this ranking. But the first part of his college career has highlighted some of his challenges as a prospect, with his lack of twitch, burst and ability to separate making it hard for him to dominate as he did in high school. He’s going to have some monster games this season and will continue to make his case for, not only the top 3 but the no.1 overall pick. But in projecting his game to the next level it’s a bit harder to imagine him as a franchise altering talent. |
| TIER 2 – ALL-NBA LEVEL PLAYER | |
| 5 | Mikel Brown Jr. – 6-5 – Louisville – Brown Jr. is an explosive, elusive and crafty guard who can pour in buckets and impact the game with his scoring and his athleticism. He’s somewhat older for a freshman but he’s clearly loaded with talent and just keeps getting better and better. He’s been on of the biggest risers in his class over the past year and is on pace to be a high lottery pick. |
| TIER 3 – ALL STAR LEVEL PLAYER | |
| 6 | Neoklis Avdalas – 6-9 – Virginia Tech (Greece) – A highly skilled big wing who can really pass the rock, has a nice outside shot and awesome size for an offensive initiator. Has been very impressive early in his Virginia Tech career and is looking like a lottery pick. |
| 7 | Kingston Flemings – 6-3 – Houston – Flemings has been sensational to start the season and is looking like one of the elite prospects in this draft class. He’s a wiry and athletic point guard who can get to his spots at will, has the scoring ability to punish the defense and can impose his will on the game with his ability to penetrate, score and/or dish. |
| 8 | Nate Ament – 6-9 – Tennessee – Ament is oozing with upside potential as a long and wiry 6-9+ shot-maker. He can handle the ball, get is own offense and is a constant threat to put the ball in the basket. He’s added a lot of good weight/strength over the past few months and is already starting to answer the biggest question mark with his game, his lack of strength. |
| TIER 4 – HIGH LEVEL STARTER – POSSIBLE ALL STAR | |
| 9 | Koa Peat – 6-8 – Arizona – Peat is a hard-working and effective forward who doesn’t need the ball in his hands a lot to have a big impact on the game. He’ll likely play a supporting role this season for the Wildcats and might not put up huge numbers but he’s got a game that should translate well to the next level. |
| 10 | Chris Cenac Jr. – 6-10 – Houston – Cenac Jr. has elite talent and shows some really special flashes and it’ll be interesting to see who big his role is a on loaded Houston team. He might not have the biggest role or get the most freedom to experiment with the ball in his hands but going to a program like Houston should really help him in the long run with his toughness, rebounding and defense. Even if he doesn’t put up big numbers he has a chance to be a high lottery pick. |
| 11 | Jayden Quaintance – 6-10 – Kentucky – JQ looks like an elite role player type of prospect who rebounds the ball well, has a major impact defending in the lane and is an efficient and effective offensive player. He’s probably not going to be a star but he should be a really good NBA player for a long time. Has yet to play this season and he could make a move up the board if he comes back strong. |
| 12 | Tounde Yessoufou – 6-6 – Baylor (Benin) – Tounde is a bit older for his class and already has a clear NBA-level frame and athleticism. He’s always been a force in the lane and driving the ball to the basket but the development of his ball handling and 3pt shot has taken his game to a new level. He’s off to an up and down start so far for Baylor and will have to prove that his 3pt shot is for real. He’s a highly impactful defender who plays with good physicality and a lot of effort. |
| 13 | Bennett Stirtz – 6-4 – Iowa – Stirtz isn’t a big name in mainstream circles but draft nerds know all about his talents. He has a chance to cement his name on the national stage this season and prove that he’s worthy of this high ranking. He’s a clutch shot-maker and a high level facilitator who could be one of the faces of college basketball this season. |
| 14 | Labaron Philon – 6-3 – Alabama – Philon is one of the more intriguing guard prospects in the country with his defensive qualities and versatile game. He has shown awesome improvements on the offensive end and has really rounded out his game. If he continues to get stronger and become more consistent shooting the rock it’ll really help his draft stock. |
| 15 | Darius Acuff Jr. – 6-1 – Arkansas – A tough and hard-nosed guard who is wired to score the ball, Acuff Jr. should have a big role in a crowded Arkansas backcourt. He’s not the biggest guard but has a lot of strength and plays with power. He’s a tough eval for me as I’ve learned to not over-rank shorter guards but he’s such a physical player that I think he can overcome his lack of height and be a very effective NBA player. |
| TIER 5 – POSSIBLE STARTER – SOLID ROTATION PLAYER | |
| 16 | Thomas Haugh – 6-9 – Florida – A steady role player who does all the dirty work and impacts the game, even when he’s not scoring the ball. A key piece on this loaded Gators team. |
| 17 | Hannes Steinback – 6-11 – Washington (Germany) – A tough rebounder and skilled offensive player who plays with a lot of energy. Has started the season strong and is moving up boards. |
| 18 | Isaiah Evans – 6-7 – Duke – Evans is a streaky shooter who can catch fire from downtown and change the course of the game with his offensive firepower.. He’s still very skinny and has some question marks on the defensive end but his offensive talent could land him in the first round. |
| 19 | Dame Sarr – 6-7 – Duke (Italy) – Sarr is loaded with upside ability and easily looks the part of a NBA wing. He’ll have some ups and downs but the ups will make him look like a lottery talent. Consistency will be key for his overall draft evaluation. |
| 20 | Dash Daniels – 6-5 – Australia – An elite defender with an emerging offensive game, Daniels just keeps getting better and, as one of the youngest players in the draft class, he has a long runway to continue to improve. He’s not the most flashy offensive talent but his all around game and elite defense give him a lot of value. |
| 21 | Cameron Carr – 6-6 – Baylor – After a slow start to his career Carr is finally in a good situation to maximize his immense talents. He’s a long and impressive athlete with a really sweet jumper and he’s been letting it fly with a ton of confidence. |
| 22 | Meleek Thomas – 6-5 – Arkansas – Thomas is on a deep Arkansas team but looks like the best pure scorer of the group. He’s got a beautiful, quick release on his jumper and is wired to score the ball. He has to get stronger and round out his game. |
| 23 | Braylon Mullins – 6-5 – UConn – It’ll be fascinating to see how much run Mullins gets on a very deep UConn team. He’s got a world of talent and a great looking outside shot but could be more of a two-year guy then a one and done. |
| 24 | Henri Veesaar – 7-0 – North Carolina (Estonia) – The Arizona transfer has continued his great play from the end of last season and is looking more and more like a first rounder. He’s a high feel player with impressive athleticism, solid rebounding and the ability to stretch the floor. |
| 25 | Flory Bidunga – 6-10 – Kansas (Congo) – A rare athlete who can out run and out jump just about anybody he faces. Is still figuring out his offensive game and developing his ball skills. |
| 26 | Karim Lopez – 6-8 – NZ Breakers, NBL (Mexico) – Lopez is an interesting prospect who sometimes looks like a top 10 lock and other times looks a bit lost on the court with major question marks in his game. He’s very young and has a lot of time to work on his weaknesses and, at the end of the day, a 6-8 big wing with his level of scoring instincts will get a long look in the lottery to mid first rounder range. |
| 27 | Christian Anderson – 6-2 – Texas Tech – Anderson has been on a steep upward trajectory as a prospect and is one of the most talented guards in college basketball. He’s not the biggest guy out there but plays with great smarts, skill and is a big tine shot-maker. |
| 28 | Dailyn Swain – 6-8 – Texas – An NBA level athlete with all the tools but will have to continue to develop his game. Shows some really nice flashes and it’s easy to see a path to him developing into a solid NBA wing. |
| 29 | Tomislav Ivisic – 7-1 – Illinois (Croatia) – I’m a huge fan of Tomislav’s game and think he is vastly underrated. He’s got great passing vision for a 7-1 player, is deadly from downtown and holds his own in the lane on both ends. He fits the mold of a modern floor-spacing, slick-passing big. |
| 30 | Cayden Boozer – 6-4 – Duke – (The other) Boozer is an outside shot away from being a complete player and a first round lock. If his shot improves throughout this year he’ll be one of the best guards in college basketball, with his passing vision, knack for scoring in the lane and defensive intensity. Even if the shot doesn’t totally pan out he’ll be a great college player who will go on to have a long pro career. |
| TIER 6 – ROTATION PLAYER – BENCH PLAYER – POSSIBLE STARTER | |
| 31 | Magoon Gwath – 7-0 – San Diego State – Has unique movement skills for a 7-footer and an intriguing combination of outside shot-making and shot blocking abilities. While he’s very intriguing he could be a year or two away from being NBA ready. |
| 32 | David Markovic – 6-9 – Illinois – One of the biggest surprises of the young season, Markovic has been a rebounding machine and incredibly efficient on the offensive end. |
| 33 | Omer Mayer – 6-4 – Purdue – Mayer is a big time talent who plays a supportive role in year one for the Boilermakers and will probably end up as a multi-year player but I had to put him on this list as I think he’s easily one of the top 70 draft eligible NBA prospects. |
| 34 | Yaxel Lendeborg – 6-9 – Michigan – One of the top transfers in the country Yaxel has had some mixed results so far for the Wolverines but remains in the first round conversation. He’s super versatile, has great length and is an impactful player on both ends. |
| 35 | JT Toppin – 6-9 – Texas Tech – Toppin might have been a first rounder last year but chose to return to dominate college basketball. He’s going to put up big numbers on a good Texas Tech team and should be in the running for national player of the year. He’s probably not going to improve his draft stock a ton but he’s just a solid player and a solid prospect with late first round potential. |
| 36 | Alex Condon – 6-11 – Florida (Australia) – Condon does a lot the dirty work of setting screens, crashing the glass, defending in the lane and running the floor hard. His game isn’t flashy but he brings value on both ends and looks the part of a NBA role playing big. |
| 37 | Isiah Harwell – 6-5 – Houston – A high level shooter and scorer who has clear NBA potential but could be a two or three year player. |
| 38 | Nikolas Khamenia – 6-9 – Duke – A highly skilled scorer with good size. I quick decision maker and high IQ player with solid athleticism. Could be a one and done but more likely a multi-year guy. |
| TIER 7 – BENCH PLAYER – MAYBE STICKS IN THE LEAGUE – DEVELOPMENTAL | |
| 39 | Coen Carr – 6-7 – Michigan State – There’s athleticism and then there’s Coen Carr. He’s an insane above the rim player but is also starting to round out his game and is on a nice trajectory as a prospect. |
| 40 | Matt Able – 6-5 – NC State – A well built and athletic scoring guard with a nice jumper and NBA range. Could be a two-year player but has really good tools and looks the part of a NBA level 2-guard. |
| 41 | Keaton Wagler – 6-6 – Illinois. – A silky-smooth wing with a great looking jumper and nice offensive package. Might not be a this-year guy but his arrow is pointing up and he could be a surprise entry in 2026. |
| 42 | Karter Knox – 6-5 – Arkansas – Knox shows flashes that make him look like a lottery pick. If he can get more consistent and take on more of a leadership role this season his draft stock will sky rocket. So far there have been mixed results. |
| 43 | Brayden Burries – 6-4 – Arizona – Burries is a smooth guard with great shot-making ability and a knack for scoring the rock. He’s not the most twitchy or electric athlete but he’s got good strength and plenty of quickness to get to his spots. His great talent level alleviates any athletic concerns but he’s been in a shooting slump to start the season. |
| 44 | Paul McNeil Jr. – 6-5 – NC State – A high scoring guard who is wired to score the ball and has taken some nice steps with his playmaking and feel for the game. Gets his shots within the flow of the offense. |
| 45 | Darrion Williams – 6-6 – NC State – A big-bodied wing who brings a lot of toughness to the court, Williams gives the Wolfpack a veteran presence. He doesn’t have one clear NBA skill but does a lot of things well on the court. |
| 46 | Adam Atamna – 6-5 – France – A crafty guard with good size. Isn’t the most twitchy player but has good handles and gets to his spots. |
| 47 | Patrick Ngongba II – 6-10 – Duke – Not flashy but highly effective and could be in for a breakout season. He does all the big man things well and is a fundamentally sound player who is highly effective. |
| 48 | Sergio de Larrea – 6-6 – Spain – A slick passing big guard who doesn’t blow you away with athleticism but is crafty, shifty and can get to his spots. A bit older than other international prospects but has a lot of game. |
| 49 | Morez Johnson – 6-10 – Michigan – A tough and physical big man who loves to mix it up inside. Isn’t a high flyer but is solid and strong and definitely makes his presence felt. He sets good screens, attacks the glass well and is an enforcer in the paint. |
| 50 | Zuby Ejiofor – 6-9 – St. John’s – A high energy big man who has taken the next step with his scoring and his overall skill level. Lacks ideal size but is quick, powerful and plays with an edge. |
| 51 | Amaël L’Etang – 7-1 – Dayton (France) – A highly skilled big man with a nice offensive game. Is becoming a real threat from downtown. |
| 52 | Shon Abaev – 6-7 – Cincinnati – A sweet-shooting wing with good instincts and court awareness. We don’t see many one and done’s coming from Cincinnati and Abaev very well could be a multi-year player but he’s a real talent with a chance to make it in the league. |
| 53 | Mouhamed Faye – 6-10 – Reggio Emilio (Senegal) – One of the top interior defenders and rebounders in this draft class Faye was a late withdrawal from last year’s draft and will look to solidify his draft stock this season. |
| 54 | Aday Mara – 7-3 – Michigan – Mara has been making steady improvements in his game and is starting to look more comfortable on the court. He’s put on some good muscle and is better able to use his great height. He’s a high feel player with a nice skill level. Keeping up with NBA speed will be a problem. |
| 55 | Ognjen Srzentic – 6-7 – Serbia – A skinny and wiry wing with a lot of offensive talent. Will have to develop his frame for the next level but is young and has time. |
| 56 | Tahaad Pettiford – 6-1 – Auburn – Small guards have a tough time making it in the NBA but Pettiford is just so dynamic with the ball in his hands that he has a shot to be a first rounder. He’s got a skinny and wiry frame but good length with a 6-5 wingspan, which helps him hold his own defensively. He’s one of the most exciting, fun and electric players in the county. |
| 57 | Miles Byrd – 6-6 – San Diego State – Byrd is a standout defender and a rangy athlete with pretty good size but his 3pt shot will have to improve. This is a big year for him to take the next step in his development. |
| 58 | Anthony Robinson II – 6-3 – Missouri – A standout defender and a high energy player who is blossoming into a big time talent. Doesn’t have elite size but plays bigger than his 6-3 listing. |
| 59 | Dwayne Aristode – 6-7 – Arizona (Netherlands) – When it’s all said and done this ranking could be way too low. Aristode is a powerfully built wing with a chiseled frame and a lot of talent. He’s part of a really strong recruiting class for the Wildcats and, while he’s not the biggest name in the group he could surprise to the upside. |
| 60 | Milos Uzan – 6-5 – Houston – Uzan is a big point guard with great passing vision and the mental make-up you look for in a PG/leader. He’s a feisty defender who really gets after ball handlers. |
| 61 | Sadiq White – 6-8 – Syracuse – White is very far from a finished product and might not be NBA ready anytime soon but he has tools you can’t teach including great length and above the rim ability. He’s a slim and wiry athlete who can really fly. His ball skills are still a work in progress and he’s probably best served developing his game for a few years at the college level before jumping to the pros. |
| 62 | Alex Karaban – 6-8 – UConn – Karaban will go down as one of the greats in the UConn programs history. His NBA role is a little murky but big shot-makers have value and he’ll get a long look from NBA teams. He might not be a high upside guy but he does some things at a high level and has a chance to be a solid role player at the next level. |
| 63 | Elyjah Freeman – 6-8 – Auburn – A small school transfer with big time athletic ability and a good looking outside shot. He’ll have a big adjustment to make playing against high major talent but he’s got all the tools to excel. |
| 64 | Jojo Tugler – 6-8 – Houston – An elite defender who plays much bigger than his height, thanks to his impressive wingspan, strength and athleticism. |
| 65 | Donnie Freeman – 6-9 – Syracuse – After an injury plagued freshman season Freeman looks to regain his form. He’s got a lot of talent and should get every chance to shine this year for Syracuse. |
| 66 | Johann Grunloh – 6-10 – Virginia (Germany) – Grunloh brings a high-energy physical presence to Virginia’s front line. He’s solid in the post and can step out and hit the 3 but is a bit heavy-footed and not the most dynamic athlete. |
| 67 | Braden Smith – 6-0 – Purdue – Smith is one of the faces of college basketball and one of the best guards in the nation. He doesn’t have ideal size and his NBA future is in question because of his lack of height but he’s a really talented, aggressive and impactful player. |
| 68 | Silas Demary Jr. – 6-5 – UConn – The transfer from Georgia doesn’t show up on most draft boards but I think he’s an underrated play-maker with good size and solid scoring. He’s part of a loaded UConn backcourt and should play a big role for the team. |
| 69 | Ian Jackson – 6-5 – St. John’s – The UNC transfer comes home to NYC and will look to regain his draft momentum. He’s a high energy guard who is still learning to harness his energy and athleticism. |
| 70 | Emanuel Sharpe – 6-3 – Houston – A strong and aggressive guard who is a bit of tweener but is a gamer and a winner. |
| > | Back to the mock draft |
Thanks so much for reading!