After so many high level prospects decided to stay in school the very strong and deep 2026 draft class now has considerably less depth. It’s still a very strong group at the top but the late first and second round depth has been depleted.
This leaves the door open for some unheralded prospects and lesser known international guys to crash the first round party. Allen Graves of Santa Clara is one name to watch. The versatile forward isn’t a primary scorer/initiator type guy but he does a lot of things well and should bring value as a mid/late first round pick.
Also keep an eye on a couple European big men in Italian center Luigi Suigo and Serbian center Pavle Backo. They could be risers during the rest of the draft process, thanks in part to all the NCAA prospects deciding to stay in school.
Just to be clear I love the NIL rules. I think it’s great for college basketball and great for the NBA and the NBA Draft. It’s so cool seeing players develop and hone their craft while representing their university (or many universities as it were) for years before jumping into the league.
Another outcome from all the players staying in school is that many, many seniors will be selected in the second round. A whole bunch of guys that I had ranked in the 70’s or lower on my previous boards area now projected as second round picks. That’s the way the NIL cookie crumbles.
Players have until May 27th to withdraw from the draft and maintain college eligibility, so this top 70 big board will change a bit after that date. But for now, here are my top 70 prospects for the 2026 NBA Draft.
2026 NBA Draft Big Board 7.0
 | TIER 1 – SUPERSTAR – FRANCHISE CORNERSTONE |
| 1 | AJ Dybantsa – 6-9 – BYU – AJ is getting closer to being the consensus top guy in the class after a strong freshman season at BYU. He has a crystal clear NBA projection as a big scoring wing who can impose his will on the game. I still think DP has more high end upside but AJ is the safer pick and also has plenty of upside left to grow into. If he can improve his reading of the floor and become a better facilitator the sky is the limit. |
| 2 | Darryn Peterson – 6-5 – Kansas – Some lucky team is going to get an elite talent and a guy who could be the no.1 overall pick in most drafts. After a weird year at Kansas DP will look to get his health and his game back on track. NBA spacing and tempo should play to his strengths and he should be a lethal scorer at the next level. |
| 3 | Caleb Wilson – 6-10 – North Carolina – I have to trust my eyes when it comes to evaluating Caleb Wilson. I get that its unusual to have him over Boozer but I’m so enamored with Wilson’s athletic traits, production and upside that I can’t have him lower than this. I first moved Wilson to the no.3 spot back in November and I still see him as the third best prospect in this class. He comes with more risk/reward than Boozer but I think the reward will be worth it. |
| 4 | Cameron Boozer – 6-9 – Duke – If Boozer falls to no.4 a team will be getting awesome value and a future cornerstone of their franchise. While I don’t see the same level of upside that some see with him, I still think Boozer will be a bona fide All Star and be really good for a really long time. The top of this draft is loaded and all of the top 4 guys are likely to be stars. |
| TIER 2 – ALL-NBA LEVEL PLAYER | |
| 5 | Kingston Flemings – 6-4 – Houston – With this ranking it’s more about projection than a finished product. Flemings has unique athletic traits and the type of explosive first step and above the rim ability that great NBA guards have. He shot the ball better than expected this season for Houston but still has room for growth with his shooting form and consistency. If he can really be a knock-down shooter he’s going to be special. |
| 6 | Darius Acuff Jr. – 6-2 – Arkansas – Acuff Jr. has a level of polish to his game that you don’t often see from young guards coming into the league. He’s not the biggest guy and not an above the rim athlete but he’s got a special ability to put the ball in the basket and make big shots in big moments. It’s going to be really fun to see where he lands, to see if he gets the keys to a NBA offense and to watch how his game translates to the NBA. |
| TIER 3 – ALL STAR LEVEL PLAYER | |
| 7 | Mikel Brown Jr. – 6-5 – Louisville – I’m tempted to have Brown in Tier 2. I think he can be a nuclear scorer at the next level and could end up as one of the better 3pt shooters in the league before too long. Add in his explosive athleticism and good feel for finding teammates and he’s close to being an elite prospect. |
| 8 | Brayden Burries – 6-4 – Arizona – Burries is a lethal scoring guard who just seems like a cold-blooded assassin when it comes to putting the ball in the basket. He’s a guy who can play on or off the ball and should be seamless fit with any NBA team. |
| 9 | Keaton Wagler – 6-6 – Illinois. – Wagler’s meteoric rise up draft boards culminates with him being a top 10 player on many lists and a sure-fire lottery pick. I love his feel and his uncanny ability to get to his spots. NBA size and athleticism will be an adjustment for him (as it is for everyone) but I think he can continue to be effective with his herky-jerky style of play. |
| TIER 4 – HIGH LEVEL STARTER – POSSIBLE ALL STAR | |
| 10 | Hannes Steinbach – 6-11 – Washington (Germany) – Hannes has skills that should translate immediately with his rebounding, play-finishing and ability to get up and down the floor in a hurry. He might not be the most exciting player in this range of the draft but I think he’ll return good value. |
| 11 | Aday Mara – 7-3 – Michigan – Mara has some boom/bust potential but at this range of the board I think it makes sens to take the swing on him. If he can be a defensive anchor and be a partial offensive hub he’ll be a hugely valuable player in the NBA. There’s a chance the speed of the game and the hunting of mismatches could be tough for him to handle but again, it’s worth a shot in the late lottery range. |
| 12 | Labaron Philon – 6-3 – Alabama – Philon is the type of productive player that can be overlooked because he’s not the biggest guy, isn’t a great above the rim player and isn’t a super young freshman. This could lead to a NBA team getting a steal outside of the top 10. He’s made massive improvements over the past two season and there’s every reason to believe he’ll continue on that trajectory. |
| 13 | Karim Lopez – 6-8 – NZ Breakers, NBL (Mexico) – Playing in the NBL has lead to Lopez being a bit overlooked but I think he’s got some sneaky star potential and could be ranked much higher when we look back on this draft in a few years. He’s got awesome strength for a young forward and does a great job of handling contact and imposing his will on the game. He’s still a teenager and it’s scary to imagine how strong and physical he’ll be in a few years. I’m intrigued. |
| 14 | Dailyn Swain – 6-8 – Texas – Swain has been a steady riser all season long and is now in the late lottery range on my big board. He’s a NBA level athlete with all the size and talent to be a high level NBA player. I like how his outside shot has developed over the years and how he’s improved his dribble-drive game. He appears to have plenty of more room for improvement and is just starting to put it all together on the court. |
| TIER 5 – POSSIBLE STARTER – SOLID ROTATION PLAYER | |
| 14 | Yaxel Lendeborg – 6-9 – Michigan – The history of players his age becoming stars is grim. Yaxel is ancient by draft standards and so theoretically his upside is limited but the hope is that he still has more aress of his game to develop and that he’s just a late bloomer. He does promise to be very NBA ready and should step right in and play meaningful minutes for whichever team drafts him. |
| 15 | Chris Cenac Jr. – 6-10 – Houston – Cenac Jr. is loaded with upside and really came on strong over the course of the season. He’s got the size and athleticism to hold his own in the league and his ability to space the floor gives him starter upside. He might not be the biggest contributor in year one but his upside is worth the swing in the late lottery or mid first round. |
| 16 | Koa Peat – 6-8 – Arizona – Peat isn’t a very sexy player but is the type of workhorse, do-it-all forward that is valuable at the next level. I don’t think he’ll go in the lottery but should be a priority pick in the mid first round range for a team needing a solid contributor. And I think he has some hidden star upside as well, if his offensive game expands. |
| 17 | Nate Ament – 6-10 – Tennessee – Ament is a special talent with unique abilities for a player his size but also comes with some major question marks around his lack of separation ability and his overall lack of burst. I think he’s a fine value at this point of the draft but I’d still have some hesitation with taking him over more NBA-ready/proven players. |
| 18 | Cameron Carr – 6-6 – Baylor – A long and wiry athletic wing who can really shoot the 3-ball and play above the rim, yes please. Carr is an off ball player who might not be a star at the next level but should be a valuable piece who plays a complimentary role. |
| 19 | 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. He impacts the game in many ways without needing the ball in his hands and is just a rock solid guy who contributes to winning. |
| 20 | Tarris Reed Jr. – C – UConn – A March Madness hero, Reed Jr. has done as much as any player in the country to lift his draft stock and will now be getting first round looks. He’s a great rebounder on both ends, a skill that should translate well for him at the NBA level. He doesn’t need to be a high volume offensive player to be effective and looks the part of a starting big, or first big off the bench, which is solid value in the 20’s or 30’s. |
| 21 | 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. Even if he’s not a starter I think he can be a valuable piece to a winning team. |
| 22 | 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. |
| 23 | Allen Graves – 6-9 – Santa Clara – A do-it-all forward who came out of nowhere to be a potential first rounder. I’d love to see him in the transfer portal instead of the draft but after such a good season for the Broncos he could be NBA-bound. |
| 24 | Luigi Suigo – 7-4 – Italy – Suigo is still open to going the college route and has some heavy interest from some blue bloods but if he stays in the draft he could be a riser on draft boards thanks to his unique size and skill. It’s not every day you find a 7-4 guy that can move, space the floor and has a solid feel for the game. He’s young and will need time to develop but you just can’t teach the tools that he’s got. |
| 25 | 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. |
| 26 | 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. |
| 27 | 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. |
| 28 | Tounde Yessoufou – 6-6 – Baylor (Benin) – I feel like we were all waiting for Tounde to find his rhythm and put together a more complete game but so far he’s looked 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 | 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. |
| 30 | Pavle Bačko – 6-11 – Serbia – One of the youngest prospects in the draft, the big-bodied center is a highly skilled player who gives some Nikola Jokic vibes. He’s emerged as a star in his age group over the past 12 months and could be a big riser during the draft process. It only takes one team to fall in love with him for him to be a first rounder. |
| 31 | 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 return for another year in school to really show how good he can be. But there’s risk with that path as well. 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 if his body holds up. |
| 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 | 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. |
| 34 | Isaiah Evans – 6-7 – Duke – Evans might be 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. He still needs to add strength but he’s been trending in the right direction. |
| 35 | 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. |
| 36 | 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 but is most likely a second rounder. |
| 37 | 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. |
| TIER 7 – BENCH PLAYER – MAYBE STICKS IN THE LEAGUE – DEVELOPMENTAL | |
| 38 | 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. |
| 39 | Trevon Brazile – 6-10 – Arkansas – He’s got great tools and some of the flashes he shows are breathtaking. I think he still needs some developmental time before being a NBA guy but I’d swing on the upside at this point in the draft. |
| 40 | 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. |
| 41 | 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. |
| 42 | 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. |
| 43 | Quadir Copeland – 6-6 – NC State – Copeland plays a controlled and intentional game, gets to his spots and knows how to orchestrate an offense. I think he can make a NBA roster. |
| 44 | Otega Oweh – 6-5 – Kentucky – Oweh isn’t super flashy but has two-way ability and NBA tools. |
| 45 | Fletcher Loyer – 6-5 – Purdue – He’s about as NBA-ready as they come. He’s probably not a starter in the league but I could see him having a solid NBA career and finding some success at the NBA level. He seems like the type of player a NBA team would love to add as a cheap roster option. |
| 46 | Billy Richmond III – 6-5 – Arkansas – We’ll see if Richmond ends up staying in the draft. He’s a guy who has really made improvements over the past few seasons and has begun to round out his game. He’s still got a game that is predicated on hustle and athleticism but the ball skills are improving and his arrow is pointing up. |
| 47 | 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. I could see him being a playable guy off a NBA bench who brings energy and a change of pace up front. |
| 48 | John Blackwell – 6-4 – Duke (transfer) – The high scoring guard could be Duke-bound or could stay in the draft and be a likely second round pick. This is one of many interesting stay/go decisions coming up. |
| 49 | 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. |
| 50 | Andrej Stojakovic – 6-6 – Illinois – If he stays in the draft he’ll get a long look in the mid/late second round. He does a lot of things well but will have to shoot the ball better to stick in the league. |
| 51 | Lamar Wilkerson – 6-6 – Indiana – A lights out shooter with good size and ball handling ability? Sign me up. |
| 52 | 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. |
| 53 | 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. |
| 54 | Jeremy Fears Jr. – 6-2 – Michigan State – I still think he should go back to school for one more year but if he stays in the draft he’ll likely be a second rounder. I think he can be a valuable guard off the bench. |
| 55 | Izaiyah Nelson – 6-10 – South Florida – A big riser late in the season and during the draft process, Nelson is a really good athlete who does the big man things well and plays a solid all around game. He’s not a big name but is a nice talent who is looking like a second round pick. |
| 56 | Melvin Council Jr. – 6-4 – Kansas – A high volume shooter who needs to do a better job of setting up teammates and shooting with better efficiency. His ability to get to the rim and score in iso is intriguing. |
| 57 | 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. |
| 58 | 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. |
| 59 | Trey Kaufman-Renn – 6-9 – Purdue – A steady, boring player who just gets it done. He’s not going to get a fan base hyped but could end up being a valuable do-it-all forward off a NBA bench. |
| 60 | Anton Bonke – 7-2 – Michigan State (transfer) – It’s not everyday you find a 7-2 guy who can move a bit and has a nice looking 3pt shot. If he stays in the draft he’ll be really intriguing in the mid/late second round. |
| 61 | Emanuel Sharpe – 6-3 – Houston – It’s easy to imagine Sharpe as a bench guard who brings his mature game and NBA-readiness to a NBA team. And it’s easy to imagine him lighting up the G League for a few years first. |
| 62 | Dillon Mitchell – 6-8 – St. John’s – NBA teams love to bet on tools and Mitchell has elite tools. He’ll be a developmental player but has some long-term potential. |
| 63 | Nick Martinelli – 6-7 – Northwestern – A high scoring wing who is tough and plays with physicality. Will have to shoot the ball better from 3 to make it but I like the improvements he’s made and think he can get there. |
| 64 | Jaxon Kohler – 6-9 – Michigan State – You don’t hear much about Kohler in draft circles but the dude is really talented and scores the ball at a NBA level. He’s not a great athlete but his shooting ability will give him a fighting chance. |
| 65 | Tyler Tanner – 6-0 – Vanderbilt – Tanner was 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, and that somewhat offsets his lack of size, but I’m not ready to put him in my top 40. He’s a strong candidate to return to school next season. |
| 66 | Nick Boyd – 6-3 – Wisconsin – Not the biggest or quickest guy out there but Boyd can really put the ball in the basket. And that skill could take him a long way. |
| 67 | Jack Kayil – 6-4 – Germany – Kayil could be heading to Gonzaga but with the depth of this draft thinning out he could stay in the draft and be a second rounder. He’s a talented combo guard who will need to shoot the ball better but has nice size and athleticism. |
| 68 | Seth Trimble – 6-3 – North Carolina – If he could shoot the ball he’d be a guaranteed NBA player but even without a jumper his athleticism could land him on a NBA roster, in time. |
| 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 | Maliq Brown – PF – Duke – An elite defender who could bring value as a situational player but really struggles on the offensive end. |
| > | Back to the mock draft |
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