This big board has plenty of movement but the biggest change is the number of Tier 1 prospects. This was a really hard choice for me. I feel like all of DP, AJ, Cam and Caleb are on the border between being Tier 1 and Tier 2 prospects. None of them are LeBron or Wemby level generational talents and I don’t think any are quite as good as Cooper Flagg was last year. But I think each has a chance to develop into a franchise cornerstone player and so I decided to elevate all four of theme into the first Tier. But, like I said, they are kind of in the middle between Tier 1 and Tier 2.
Darius Acuff Jr. rises into the exclusive Tier 2 with his incredible stretch of performances in SEC play. The Arkansas guard looks like a clear high level NBA starter who is drawing a lot of Dame Lillard comps.
Another big move is lifting Mikel Brown Jr. into the second Tier with Kingston Flemings and Acuff Jr. Over the past few weeks he’s shown the explosiveness scoring ability that we expected to see at the beginning of the season and his draft stock has risen back into that elite Tier 2 category.
Amari Allen continues to rise up the board, coming in at no.17 in this pre-March big board. He’s just so composed, efficient, heady and talented that even if he doesn’t have a superstar ceiling it’s just so easy to see him being an effective NBA player.
Alijah Arenas makes his debut on my 2026 big board after coming back a bit earlier than I expected from his injury. He’s clearly got a lot of upside and is wired to score the ball but also has a long ways to go with his efficiency, developing his frame and playing a more complete game. It’ll be interesting to see if he declares this year or stays another year in school.
OK, enough preamble, let’s get into it!
2026 NBA Draft Big Board 5.0
 | TIER 1 – SUPERSTAR – FRANCHISE CORNERSTONE |
| 1 | Darryn Peterson – 6-5 – Kansas – Maybe I’m just being stubborn in keeping Peterson at no.1 but I’m also trusting in everything I’ve seen from him over his high school career, as well as the flashes he’s shown in this strange season at Kansas. It would be easy to write him off or tear apart his performances this year but the guy clearly isn’t 100% and hasn’t looked like himself. AJ and Cam are right there with him but for now I’m still giving Peterson a slight edge over the other two. |
| 2 | AJ Dybantsa – 6-9 – BYU – AJ has been making a very strong case for being the top pick in the draft and the best prospect in the class. He’s such a fierce competitor and aggressive player with such elite physical tools. I’m really tempted to put him first on this list but need to trust my original scouting with DP and wait to see if he comes back healthy and really shows his stuff. If DP’s struggles continue and if AJ keeps playing the way he’s been playing we could see a new number one next big board. |
| 3 | Cameron Boozer – 6-9 – Duke – Boozer might not be as exciting as the two guys ahead of him on this list but whichever NBA team gets him will be getting a potential superstar who plays a beautifully efficient and complete game. He’s a machine on the offensive end who puts up big numbers effortlessly. He feels like a can’t miss prospect who is almost guaranteed to be a star at the next level. |
| 4 | Caleb Wilson – 6-10 – North Carolina – An injury to his left hand has put a small speed-bump in an otherwise spectacular year for the UNC freshman. Wilson has looked like the best player on the floor in most of his games this year and has a unique combination of production and untapped upside. He’s already so freaking good but it’s clear that he has another level or two that he can take his game, as he adds strength, refines his ball skills and develops his outside shot. |
| TIER 2 – ALL-NBA LEVEL PLAYER | |
| 5 | Kingston Flemings – 6-4 – Houston – After a red-hot start Flemings has cooled down a bit but has still impressed with his elite first step and ability to get wherever he wants on the floor. He’s the most dynamic player going to the basket in this draft (right up there with AJ’s power drives) and has all the tools to be a special NBA player. At times I’ve flirted with having him in the top Tier but I think this is the spot for him, just below the top four but with All NBA potential. |
| 6 | Mikel Brown Jr. – 6-5 – Louisville – The explosive scoring ability of Brown Jr. has been one of the biggest stories over the past two weeks and has helped lift his draft stock back into this second tier. When he gets it going and gets in rhythm on the offensive end he’s one of the most impressive and fun players to watch in the country. I can’t wait to see him with NBA spacing! |
| 7 | Darius Acuff Jr. – 6-2 – Arkansas – NBA projection is not all about numbers/stats but sometimes the stats don’t lie. Acuff Jr. has been unstoppable in SEC play and is posting numbers that we rarely see from any player, let alone a freshman. He’s not the tallest guard out there but has good strength a lot of quickness and perhaps the best handles in the entire draft class. His scoring ability and big shot making have reminded of Dame Lillard and he’s also a high feel play-maker as well, who does a good job of orchestrating the offense and protecting the ball. In some draft classes he’d be a top 5 pick but in this strong class he probably goes in the 6-10 range. |
| TIER 3 – ALL STAR LEVEL PLAYER | |
| 8 | Keaton Wagler – 6-6 – Illinois. – Wagler is silky smooth with the ball in his hands and whatever athletic shortcomings he may have are mitigated by his ability to play with changes of pace and rhythm and to get to his spots with his deep bag, not just blow-by speed. He’s a below the rim player but has plenty of athletic juice to be effective in transition and to hold his own on the defensive end. He’s the type of positionless combo guard/wing/pg that is valuable in the modern NBA. |
| 9 | Hannes Steinbach – 6-11 – Washington (Germany) – Playing at Washington Steinbach has flown a bit under the radar but the kid is just a monster on both ends, showcasing high end hustle and athleticism to impact the boards, get out in transition and finish effectively in the paint. He’s also developing into more of a floor spacing big and is just starting to show what he can eventually be. This ranking might be a bit ambitious but I’m just a huge fan of his game and could see him being a very effective starter and possible All Star at the next level. |
| TIER 4 – HIGH LEVEL STARTER – POSSIBLE ALL STAR | |
| 10 | Braylon Mullins – 6-6 – UConn – Mullins is a bit of an enigma. He shows flashes that look like All Star material but has had some inconsistencies this season (after missing the early season with an injury). I think we’ve yet to see the best from him and he could be sort of a surprise hero/star over the final month of the college season and the tournament. I’m a full believer in his shooting prowess and think he can be one of the better shooters in the NBA in a few years. |
| 11 | Brayden Burries – 6-4 – Arizona – Burries has looked like Arizona’s best player for many games over the mid part of the season and his draft stock has recovered in a big way. He was no.15 on my first big board of the season, then fell into the twenties, and now he’s rising up to the lottery range. He looks like a NBA starter to me and so deserves to be taken in the late lottery/mid first round. |
| 12 | Labaron Philon – 6-3 – Alabama – Philon looks like a starting level point guard who has some All Star potential. He’s a smooth operator on the offensive end and a feisty defender. He’s show a lot of leadership qualities and as the mental make-up of a point guard. I like him in this late lottery range. |
| 13 | Nate Ament – 6-10 – Tennessee – Ament has been on a nice little stretch here and put to rest some of the concerns from his rough start to the season. This might seem a bit low for him but I’m still of the opinion that he’s more of a solid role player/solid starter than a star at the next level. He might be more Keith Van Horn than Michael Porter Jr. |
| 14 | Karim Lopez – 6-8 – NZ Breakers, NBL (Mexico) – Lopez is really finding his stride in the NBL. He’s got a lot of poise and a ton of power for a 18yo playing against grown men and is starting to get very comfortable with a bigger role. He’s a unique prospect as a big wing who lacks speed/burst but plays with both finesse and power and has a nice feel and good touch on his drives to the basket. If he was playing college ball he’d probably be getting a lot more hype. |
| TIER 5 – POSSIBLE STARTER – SOLID ROTATION PLAYER | |
| 15 | Chris Cenac Jr. – 6-10 – Houston – When it comes to pure upside potential there are only a few prospects I would put above Cenac Jr. He’s going to take some time and could even spend another year in school but for a team willing to develop his talents the payoff could be huge. |
| 16 | Yaxel Lendeborg – 6-9 – Michigan – I kind of hate how low Yaxel ended up on my board this time. He’s had a really good start to the season but has been a bit more pedestrian in recent weeks. He’s an older prospect but I think he still has plenty of upside to tap. And he’s a very NBA ready player who would be a nice addition to any roster. I think he has a pretty wide draft range between about 10 to 20. |
| 17 | Amari Allen – 6-8 – Alabama – Allen is a heady, mature and efficient player who looks like a NBA level role player who doesn’t need to be a star but just gets it done at a high level. He’s been one of the more surprising breakout players this year and is making a strong case to be a first round pick. |
| 18 | Alijah Arenas – 6-6 – USC – He’s one of the hardest players to rank in this class. We have only a small sample size so far, which has been a mixed bag. He’s clearly got a lot of upside but is pretty far away from harnessing all that talent and being NBA ready. I think he’s a bit more of a project than some people think but his NBA tools are so clear and his talent so obvious that he’ll be in the mix in the late lottery to mid first round. |
| 19 | 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. His offensive game has taken big strides this season and his arrow is definitely pointing up. |
| 20 | Cameron Carr – 6-6 – Baylor – After a few years of hype Carr is in the midst of a breakout season and has been really impressive for the Bears this year. His combination of 3pt shooting, above the rim ability and disruptive defensive has the full attention of NBA scouts. The biggest question in my eyes is whether he’s more of an off-the-ball role player or if he can develop his on-ball creativity. |
| 21 | Henri Veesaar – 7-0 – North Carolina (Estonia) – Veesaar is unlikely to be a star in the NBA but at this point of the draft board finding a really solid starting level center who can stretch the floor would be a really good value. He’s a high feel player who makes really good reads and is a good big-to-big passer. I’m higher on him than most and think he’ll be really good in the NBA. |
| 22 | Christian Anderson – 6-2 – Texas Tech – I think there’s a real chance Anderson out-plays this ranking. He’s not the biggest guard out there but is so skilled, is a great decision-maker no the court and has a rare combination of play-making and scoring ability. He’s also going to get a really big NIL offer so there’s a chance he returns to school if he’s projected in this range. |
| 23 | Koa Peat – 6-8 – Arizona – At times Peat looks like a top 15 pick and at other times he appears to be a solid role player/glue-guy who probably isn’t a lottery level talent in this strong draft class. Overall he grades out as a mid first rounder who should be very solid from day one and probably has some underrated star potential. He’s not likely to develop into a first option offensive player but as his game matures I think we’ll see him hitting 3’s at a nice clip and taking on more of a role on the offensive end. He’s kind of a tough eval for me but I wouldn’t let him slip too far into the twenties. |
| 24 | Bennett Stirtz – 6-4 – Iowa – I was a little too high on Stirtz to start the season but I still like him as a mid/late first rounder. He could be a nice third guard who has some versatility playing on or off the ball. |
| 25 | Thomas Haugh – 6-9 – Florida – Haugh might not be the sexiest pick but NBA teams will be highly intrigued by the 6-9 do-it-all forward who competes at a high level and impacts both ends. |
| 26 | Morez Johnson Jr. – 6-10 – Michigan – Every NBA team can use a player like Morez. He’s a powerful, high-energy enforcer who has a big impact in the paint, changes ends well and can anchor a defense, despite not being the biggest center out there. |
| 27 | 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. |
| 28 | Tounde Yessoufou – 6-6 – Baylor (Benin) – I feel like we all keep waiting for Tounde to find his rhythm and put together a more complete game but so far he’s been looking like more of an athlete than a polished basketball player. Still, it’s hard to bet against such a high level athlete who also has a really strong work ethic. A team drafting in the late twenties could get a steal. |
| TIER 6 – ROTATION PLAYER – BENCH PLAYER – POSSIBLE STARTER | |
| 29 | Meleek Thomas – 6-5 – Arkansas – A microwave shooter/scorer who can get hot but lacks consistency. Will need to round out his game and do more than just score the rock. Could use some more time in school and would likely spend a lot of time in the G League if he enters the draft this year. |
| 30 | Ebuka Okorie – 6-2 – Stanford – Okorie has been an absolute stud this year, coming in as an under recruited guy and scorching opponents to the tune of 21 points per game while looking to be in total control of the offense. |
| 31 | Aday Mara – 7-3 – Michigan – I might be too low on Mara, given his unique size/skill but I struggle to see his game translating well to the next level. Another year in school could be in order and make him a first round lock. There’s a high chance he’s a first rounder this year but I’m just not all the way bought in on his NBA projection. |
| 32 | Joshua Jefferson – 6-9 – Iowa State – Jefferson is old, a bit slow and doesn’t really excite you with his style of play but man, he is just damn good at the game of basketball. At some point in the draft it’s less about upside and more about finding NBA players who can contribute to winning games. |
| 33 | Malachi Moreno – 7-0 – Kentucky – Moreno isn’t the most fleet-footed center but is highly skilled and plays with good power and strength. He’s gotten a lot of run this season for a Kentucky team missing JQ and he’s taken advantage of the minutes, showing good touch in the lane, from mid range and a nice overall offensive package. I really hope he returns for another season to develop his body and athleticism but if he declares this year he could flirt with first round territory. |
| 34 | Jayden Quaintance – 6-10 – Kentucky – It’s been a really tough year for JQ after ACL surgery last March and some ongoing issues with his recovery. It might make sense for him to shut it down for the season and focus on the draft process, or on being a top pick in 2027. He’s a unique defensive talent but the injury history and the lack of an offensive game hurts his draft stock. He’s still incredibly young and has plenty of time to develop into a good NBA player. |
| 35 | Motiejus Krivas – 7-2 – Arizona (Lithuania) – The lengthy Lithuanian is a solid post presence who controls the boards and has a big impact on the defensive end. He’s not a high volume offensive player and scores mainly within a few feet of the rim. I don’t see him as a starter in the NBA but think he can be a serviceable big off the bench. |
| 36 | Keyshawn Hall – 6-7 – Auburn – I’m a big Keyshawn Hall fan. He’s got a pro-ready frame and a really nice 3pt shot. I’d take him early to mid second round, and can also see him continuing to rise up the board. |
| 37 | Flory Bidunga – 6-10 – Kansas (Congo) – Flory is a high energy role-playing big man who projects as a guy who can come off the bench and provide meaningful minutes. He changes ends really well and puts a lot of pressure on opposing bigs with his quickness up and down the court. I think he’s going to solid early in his career but won’t really bring a lot of value until his second contract. |
| 38 | Rueben Chinyelu – C – Florida – A defensive menace with great length and strength. Only a junior, he could be back next season and really see his draft stock fly. He’s still a developmental player but he’s on a really nice trajectory as a prospect and I expect that to continue. He reminds me of a modern day Dale Davis. |
| 39 | Isaiah Evans – 6-7 – Duke – Evans is probably more of a bench scorer than a starter and so his draft stock is probably not as high as some think. He’s made really good improvements in his all-around game since last season and if he continues that trend he’ll have a long NBA career. |
| TIER 7 – BENCH PLAYER – MAYBE STICKS IN THE LEAGUE – DEVELOPMENTAL | |
| 40 | Miikka Muurinen – 6-10 – Finland – Muurinen will probably wait until the 2027 draft but this big board includes all draft eligible players. He wasn’t getting any playing time for Partizan Belgrade and decided to leave the team, which is an interesting development. Still, the flashes we’ve seen from him over the past few years suggests that he’s a legit NBA talent. If he comes out this year his draft stock will be all over the place but if he waits one more year I think he could go in the lottery. |
| 41 | Massamba Diop – 7-1 – Arizona State (Senegal) – Diop is an extremely gifted 7-1 athlete who is very smooth, twitchy and agile with his movements. He’s got good touch around the rim and on push shots out to about 12 feet. And he does a good job of protecting the rim and has the makings of becoming a defensive anchor. He’s very much a developmental player but has tools you can’t teach and a lot of upside to grow into. I like him early second round. |
| 42 | Daniel Jacobson – 7-4 – Purdue – I know he’s not a this year guy but he’s easily in my top 50, so I thought I’d add him to the board. He’s got a good shot to be a first rounder next season. |
| 43 | Juke Harris – 6-7 – Wake Forest – A big guard/wing who can really score the ball. Has taken a major leap this season and is looking like a potential NBA player. |
| 44 | Milon Momcilovic – 6-8 – Iowa State – The best 3pt shooter in the county and one of the best on Planet Earth, Milon doesn’t have a great all around game and will be more of a specialist at the NBA level. |
| 45 | Ryan Conwell – 6-4 – Louisville – A rock solid 6-4 guard who loves to let it fly from downtown. Is better in an off-ball role but can give you some minutes at point. An older player but one who could contribute early. |
| 46 | Ivan Kharchenkov – 6-7 – Arizona (Germany) – Ivan has been awesome this season for the Cats. He’s a well built wing who really excels on the defensive end, hits open threes and just plays a really solid all around game. I’d love to see him return for a second season but the way he’s been playing recently could make him a this year guy. |
| 47 | JT Toppin – 6-9 – Texas Tech – Toppin might have been a first rounder last year but chose to return to dominate college basketball. Now he’s suffered a season-ending knee injury after a really strong first half of the season. I don’t think the injury will impact his draft stock too much. I had him as an early second rounder before the injury and think he’ll stay in that late 30’s to 40’s range. |
| 48 | Dash Daniels – 6-5 – Australia – He’s very young, a great defender and has NBA bloodlines but I’m not sure he’ll be ready to contribute anytime soon and will probably be more of a second contract guy (if he makes it that far). I think he has upside but is far from a sure thing. |
| 49 | Tyler Tanner – 6-0 – Vanderbilt – Tanner has been sensational this season and could be ranked higher but I have a hard time trusting small guards and he’s extra small. Yes, he’s a high level athlete with good length that somewhat offsets his lack of size but I’m not ready to put him in my first round. He’s a strong candidate to return to school next season. |
| 50 | 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. |
| 51 | Lamar Wilkerson – 6-6 – Indiana – A lights out shooter with good size and ball handling ability? Sign me up. |
| 52 | Dame Sarr – 6-7 – Duke (Italy) – Sarr shows some very high level flashes but can also look very raw and not nearly NBA ready at times. He’s a candidate to stay in school and be a 2027 pick but if he comes out this year he’s likely a second rounder. |
| 53 | Neoklis Avdalas – 6-9 – Virginia Tech (Greece) – After a hot start Avdalas has struggled a lot and his draft stock is taking a hit. There’s still a lot of intrigue here as you don’t see 6-9 ball-handlers with good movement skills very often. But it’s clear that he’s not the same level of prospect as a Egor Demin or a Matas Buzelis etc. I still think he can recover some draft momentum but he’d have to turn things around in a hurry. Or maybe he’s a first rounder next year. |
| 54 | Shelton Henderson – 6-6 – Miami – A powerhouse of an athlete who can be a dominant force going to the rim. If he can figure out how to shoot the ball he’ll be nightmare to guard. I really hope he returns to school and puts on a show next season but if he does declare he’s a likely second round pick. |
| 55 | Alex Condon – 7-0 – Florida – A solid all around center who does a bit of everything but doesn’t really stand in one area. I think he might take some time but could eventually earn a few NBA minutes. |
| 56 | Eric Reibe – 7-1 – UConn (Germany) – Reibe is probably staying in school for another year but if he declares for the 2026 draft he’d be intriguing in the late first/early second round range. |
| 57 | Mouhamed Faye – 6-10 – Paris Basket (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. |
| 58 | 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. |
| 59 | Jaden Bradley – 6-2 – Arizona – Bradley has gotten better and better every season and now looks like a solid back-up point guard option. He’s learned to harness his athletic talents and become more of a passer and play-maker. I’m a big fan. |
| 60 | 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 play-making and feel for the game. Gets his shots within the flow of the offense. |
| 61 | Tomislav Ivisic – 7-1 – Illinois (Croatia) – He’s not had the season I expected and has taken a tumble down my draft board. I could still see him getting drafted and having a NBA career but I’m not as high on him as I was. |
| 62 | Bruce Thornton – 6-2 – Ohio State – He’s a baller, a gamer and a winner who looks the part of a solid back up point guard at the NBA level. |
| 63 | Tyler Bilodeau – 6-9 – UCLA – Tyler isn’t a great athlete and might not have great upside but he’s just a damn good basketball player who can really shoot the rock. He’s got a toughness to his game that allows him to hold his own in the paint against bigger players. But it’s his shooting ability that will get him on a NBA court. |
| 64 | Richie Saunders – 6-5 – BYU – A flamethrower from outside, Saunders is a natural scorer who moves well without the ball and lets it fly with a ton of confidence. He’s a much older prospect and should be ready to play some minutes early in his career…once he recovers from his recent ACL tear. |
| 65 | 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. I see him as a possible third or fourth guard who could come in and spell the starter. |
| 66 | 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. |
| 67 | Braden Smith – 6-0 – Purdue – Super undersized by incredibly dynamic, Smith could be a fun guard to have coming off the bench to change the tempo. |
| 68 | 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. |
| 69 | Baba Miller – 6-11 – Cincinnati – It’s been a long road for Baba to get here but he’s been playing really good ball this year and still has that impressive combination of size and mobility. He’s shown a willingness to harness his athletic prowess and live more in the post, make plays in transition and play more like a big forward instead of a guard. |
| 70 | Emanuel Sharpe – 6-3 – Houston – A strong and aggressive guard who is a bit of tweener but is a gamer and a winner. A big time shot maker who could be a solid option off the bench for a NBA team. |
| > | Back to the mock draft |
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