At this point in the draft cycle the pool of available talent is pretty well set. The NCAA withdrawal deadline passed on May 27 and greatly reduced the depth of the class. There is one more withdrawal deadline on June 13th which could see a few international players withdraw, but that won’t have a big impact on the draft class or on this top 70 big board.
With the depth of the draft somewhat depleted it opens up room for a whole host of college seniors to land in the second round. This will probably be the trend going forward, with the NIL rules enticing underclassmen back to school and the later part of the NBA Draft being senior-laden.
2026 NBA Draft Big Board 8.0
 | TIER 1 – SUPERSTAR – FRANCHISE CORNERSTONE |
| 1 | AJ Dybantsa – 6-9 – BYU – AJ stays at no.1 both for his upside and his seemingly high floor. He’s almost guaranteed to score the ball in bunches at the NBA level and has the type of competitive fire you want from your franchise cornerstone. There are areas of his game that need improvement but he already brings so much to the table that I feel comfortable having him at the top of this loaded draft class. |
| 2 | Darryn Peterson – 6-5 – Kansas – The enigma that is Darryn Peterson comes with loads of scoring talent and a nice all around game checkered with a few orange flags. If he hits he’ll be the best player from this class but his one year at Kansas raised enough questions in my mind that he falls to no.2 on my big board. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| TIER 3 – ALL STAR LEVEL PLAYER | |
| 8 | 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. |
| 9 | 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. |
| 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. |
| TIER 5 – POSSIBLE STARTER – SOLID ROTATION PLAYER | |
| 14 | 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. |
| 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 | 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. |
| 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 | 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. |
| 19 | 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. |
| 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 | 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. |
| 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 | 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. |
| 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 | Koa Peat – 6-8 – Arizona – Peat had a tough NBA combine, looking like an average athlete with good strength but not great size, who can’t shoot. That’s not a great combo for a NBA player. But Peat has proven to be a winner at every level so far and I think he can be a solid rotation player in the league. That’s worth a first round pick. |
| 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. |
| TIER 6 – ROTATION PLAYER – BENCH PLAYER – POSSIBLE STARTER | |
| 28 | 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. |
| 29 | 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. |
| 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 | 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. |
| 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 | 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. |
| 34 | 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. |
| 35 | 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. |
| 36 | Ryan Conwell – 6-3 – Louisville – A rock solid 6-3 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. |
| TIER 7 – BENCH PLAYER – MAYBE STICKS IN THE LEAGUE – DEVELOPMENTAL | |
| 37 | Jack Kayil – 6-5 – Germany – Kayil is a talented combo guard who will need to shoot the ball better but has nice size and athleticism. |
| 38 | 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. |
| 39 | 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. |
| 40 | Ja’kobi Gillespie – 6-1 – Tennessee – An undersized scoring guard who is really tough to stop. Looks like a guy who could be valuable bench guard. |
| 41 | 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. |
| 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 | Aaron Nkrumah – 6-5 – Tennessee State – A wiry long-armed athlete who has been one of the stars of the pre-draft process. |
| 47 | 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. |
| 48 | 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. |
| 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 | 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. |
| 51 | Lamar Wilkerson – 6-6 – Indiana – A lights out shooter with good size and ball handling ability? Sign me up. |
| 52 | 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. |
| 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 | Tobi Lawal – 6-8 – Virginia Tech – In the late second round range I think Lawal is an athlete worth taking a flyer on. He’s a developmental guy but has rare physical abilities that you just can’t teach. |
| 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 | 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. |
| 57 | Felix Okpara – 6-11 – Tennessee – A solid athlete for a near 7-footer who can hold his own in the middle and make all the big man plays. Isn’t the most powerful guy but should continue to add strength and weight. |
| 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 | Bryce Hopkins – 6-7 – St. John’s – A versatile forward who is a jack-of-trades type but a master of none. |
| 60 | 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. |
| 61 | Tyler Nickel – 6-7 – Vanderbilt – Nickel is a shooter with size and could find some spot minutes at the NBA level thanks to his ability to knockdown shots from deep. |
| 62 | Ugonna Onyenso – 7-0 – Virginia – A defensive-minded player who has good movement skills for his size. A developmental guy. |
| 63 | Milos Uzan – 6-5 – Houston – A nice all around player who could find a role off a NBA bench. |
| 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 | Malik Reneau – 6-7 – Miami – A physical four-man who lacks ideal size but just gets it done. Isn’t flashy but is very productive. |
| 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 | Malique Lewis – 6-8 – Melbourne, NBL – An athletic wing with good size and a developing skill-set. |
| 68 | Tobe Awaka – 6-7 – Arizona – He doesn’t have the NBA skill-set that most 6-7 players have but he’s a tough-nosed rebounder who throws his weight around in the paint. |
| 69 | Kylan Boswell – 6-2 – Illinois – A steady veteran PG who isn’t flashy but knows how to run a team. |
| 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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